Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said the paddy procurement issue will be settled soon. He was laying the stone for the Mundakkal bridge at Kainakary on Friday. The government had increased procurement price of paddy by Rs.2.50 a kg. The farmers deserved such a hike, he said.
Mr. Chandy said the millers wanted a three-fold increase in processing charges. The government had agreed to double the present rate. Unofficial talks were in progress and the government hoped to find an amicable solution soon. The bridge, estimated at Rs.25.85 crore, is to be completed in two years.
Finance Minister K.M. Mani, Kodikkunnil Suresh, MP, Thomas Chandy, MLA, District collector N.Padmakumar were among those present.
