Nava Kerala March has entered Alleppey district completing its tour in Kottayam, from high ranges to coastal area. The reception in Kottayam district started at Mundakkayam and ended at Thalayolapparambu. People assembled in good number even at places considered to be the bastions of right wing parties. The success of the march in this district was the proof of retention of the enthusiasm created by the state conference of the party at Kottayam, still, in very good measure. The concluding session held at Kottayam town was vitually a big rally.
If the problems affecting the people in the high ranges are related to agriculture, the problems in coastal area is different. It is in traditional sectors including fishing that the majority of the people in Keala are working. Mostly people in this area are very poor. Question by a media person in the meet at Kottayam on thursday morning was that how many mark could be given for the performance of LDF government. The reply given without any hesitation was that full marks can be given. The neglect shown and problems created by the earlier UDF government to the traditional sector cannot be ignored. The LDF government was able to solve those problems and to protect the people through sincere measures of intervention to a great extend.
The due assistance to the coir workers were held up in the name of financial crisis. The crisis ridden coir co-operatives resulted in the workers being shifted to the production centres of private companies. Rs. 2336 lakhs were given to 458 coir co-operatives for their revival. 31 months' arrears of pension, unpaid by the UDF, was cleared by this government. The pension denied to 8000 were re-introduced. Pension amount was raised to Rs. 200.
The arrears of rebate to handloom societies were fully given. The group insurance contribution was increased to Rs. 5 Crores. 25% wage increase was ensured for khadi workers. Cashew workers were given 9 days work during the UDF rule. Till this time LDF government has ensured 530 days work in capex and 420 days in cashew development corporation. Rs. 27 Crores for cashew development corporation and Rs. 13 Crores for capex were allotted.
The LDF government is taking measures to solve the problems faced by the fishing community on a sustainable basis. Fishermen debt relief act introduced by Government of Kerala is first of its kind in India. Central Government has given instruction to the state government for complete banning of trawling during monsoon. This has affected the job security of the traditional fishfolk. To overcome this problem, Kerala surface water fishing protection act was enacted. Hence, traditional fishermen could go for fishing even during the period of ban on trawling. The fishermen welfare fund activity was disrupted due to the intervention of exporters and such other establishments. To solve this problem, fishermen cess act was introduced. Welfare fund activities were revived. Scheme for providing land and housing for all the fishermen was initiated. Around 6000 houses were sanctioned by the government so far. 11,000 houses are under construction. Interest free loan, insurance for fishing implements and around 1000 centres for production and distribution of value added products were introduced for avoiding fishermen falling into the debt trap of intermediaries.
During 2006-07 Rs. 969.51 Crores were the receipts from American market alone from the sale of cashew. Total income from this sector was Rs.2455.17 Crores. That means 39% of the export of cashew was to US market. The extension of payment period from 30 days to 120 days by the super markets and slashing of credit limits by the banks in US in the background of financial crisis has adversely affected the export from India. When the purchasing power of US citizens reduces because of the crisis this sector also is moving over to a period of severe crisis.
The situation in coir sector also is the same. It was Rs. 605 Crores that we got by exporting coir. When the fact that developed European countries are the market for 70% of coir exports, it can be seen that this crisis will affect the coir sector as well. 10% of Indian export is that of textile products. 70% of consumers are US and European Union countries. This includes handlooms from Kerala.
Rs.8363.53 Crores was the receipt from sea food exports during 2006-07. 6,12,642 tonnes of products were exported. Share of Kerala in terms of the value was about 19%. Fish food export from Kerala to US market alone comes to Rs. 139.67 Crores. 32% is exported to European Union. In this sector too, the global crisis is going to affect us.
When such a crisis situation is emerging in the traditional industrial sector in Kerala, no worth while helping measures are seen in the budget of Central Government. The neglect to this foreign exchange earning sector is worthy of protest. At the same time the LDF government has been effectively intervening in these traditional sectors with utmost concern. It is quite natural that the people who experience and enjoy the fruits of such measures of the LDF government is coming to greet the march with much jubilance. They are giving full marks to the LDF government. It is because of these reasons that more and more people are aligning with the CPI(M), the major constituent of the LDF.
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