Procurement price of paddy increased

The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday decided to increase the procurement price of paddy from Rs. 11 to Rs. 12 a kg.

Announcing the decision after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said that the procurement price was only Rs. 7 a kg when the present government came to power three years ago.

Gratuity limit:

The Cabinet also decided to request the Centre to raise the maximum amount payable to employees as gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act to Rs. 10 lakh. Currently, the limit is Rs. 3.5 lakh, he said.