Nava Kerala March has covered three northern states of Kerala. The enthusiasm among the people visible from the beginning is steadily on the increase. People are coming to receive the march from new areas, from those who are outside the party and even from those who worked against party till now. The famous teacher who was an active worker of Congress to the one who lead the anti-CPM work among the Adivasis have reached to receive the march in various centres in Kannur.
March entered Wayanad district on thursday afternoon. Adivasis came in very good number in the very first spot, Manantoddy itself. We have covered this very track three years back as part of Kerala march. Those were the days when the crisis in the agrarian sector was at its peak. What we received then in all the three reception spots were hundreds of representations wet with their tears. What we assured the farmers of Wayanad who had no alternative than to commit suicide due to the indifference of the then Govts at the state and the central, then, was that their problem will be the first to be considered if LDF comes to power.
In response to this assurance, LDF candidates were elected by the people of Wayanad in all the three constituencies. Even the areas known as UDF bastions have favoured the left. Now, when we reach here after three years, it can be read from the response being received from the people that the state government could fulfill the expectations of the people who reposed their faith in CPI(M) and LDF, to a great extend. Considerable relief could be extended to the farmers through measures taken by the Government even with all the constraints it faced.
During the UDF rule, 3 districts of Kerala were among the 36 districts where farmers committed suicide. As soon as the LDF Govt came to power it examined the problems of agrarian sector and took immediate measures to address them. Financial assistance of Rs.50,000 was extended to the family of those committed suicide. Their debts were waived. Moratorium was declared for the debts of farmers. Debts below Rs.25,000 was written off in Wayanad district as per the recommendations of Debt Relief Commission. 42113 families benefitted. Rs.51.30 Crores were thus written off in the first phase. Suicide spree in all the other 33 districts are continuing. Kerala districts are not in that list.
The stand taken by the UDF was that farmers didnot commit suicide due to debttrap. Because of this, Kerala lost Crores of central assistance. The stand of the Central Govt is still creating severe problems in agricultural sector. Central Govt and the Planning Commissions are not inclined to implement the much acclaimed Kuttanad package. All the requests for monsoon calamity relief from the Govt of Kerala were rejected. Govt of Kerala is taking concerted measures to solve the food crisis. Paddy production could be considerably increased. 2,70,103 tons of paddy could be produced during 2006-07 as against 2,66,634 tons was the production of 2005-06. An increase of around 4000 tons. Paddy production incrased in all the districts. Interest free loans are being extended to paddy farmers. Insurance was introduced for paddy cultivation. It was this Kerala Govt which introduced insurance for paddy cultivation first. Farmers need not pay any amount. Premium is paid by the Govt. Record increase has been achieved in vegetable production. Vegetable production project is being implemented through 2000 Harithasree societies. 322 village markets were started to control the prices. Pension scheme was introduced for farmers. Considerable relief is being extended to the farmers through such creative measures introduced by the LDF. This can be read from the faces of the common people of Wayanad.
As the Nava Kerala March is advancing, those who raise allegations against the movement are strengthening their voice and organising even physical attack against our comrades. These kinds of attack will make the party workers and the common people who love the party more vigilant and attract more people sections of people to the party. This is evident at every centre. The march is being received not mechanically, but affectionately by waves of enthusiastic masses shouting shouting slogans. The successful advancement of this Nava Kerala March proves that the people will come forward to protect the movement with ten times the vigour as the attacks of the opponents become severe.
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