The Hindu Business Line : Rs 240-cr relief for Kerala farmers

The Chief Minister, Mr A.K. Antony, told presspersons after a Cabinet meeting that the reliefs were meant to mitigate the hardships faced by farmers who were hit by a steep fall in the prices of farm produces, and workers in the traditional industries which were going through a grave financial crisis.

He said the resources for extending the relief measures would be mobilised through cost-cutting measures which the Government had already announced.

The Cabinet has decided to pay one instalment of all welfare pensions for which Rs 50 crore had been earmarked. The amount would be disbursed next month and this would benefit about 15 lakh people, he said.

The Cabinet also decided to set aside Rs 30 crore for the purchase of medicines in Government hospitalsBesides, Rs 15 crore has been allocated for payment of rebate arrears and market incentives in coir and handloom sectors and another Rs 15 crore for the cashew and fishing sectors.

For copra procurement, the Government will set apart Rs 11 crore. Similarly, for paddy and rubber procurement, the Cabinet decided to allocate Rs 20 crore and Rs 40 crore, respectively.

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