The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), on Saturday, decided to go ahead with its ‘green agenda’ by getting involved in environment issues, including pollution.
The party would promote organic farming and conservation of soil and water bodies, IUML spokesman E.T. Mohammed Basheer and general secretary K.P.A. Majeed told mediapersons here after the State committee and working committee meetings of the party.
The working committee approved a draft action plan as a follow up on the earlier decision to formulate a green agenda for development. The action plan would be fine-tuned after discussions with experts and presented at the party State conference on November 10.
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“The IUML, as a political party, has decided to become actively involved in environmental issues. The focus will be on environment pollution, soil conservation, organic farming, and protection of water bodies and rivers,” Mr. Basheer said.
In reply to a question, he said the party did not discuss the Nelliampathy issue, but, as a matter of general policy it was against encroachment of forest land. Since the United Democratic Front had appointed a subcommittee to examine various aspects of the Nelliampathy issue, the party would wait till the panel submitted its report, he said.
The party’s ‘green agenda’ had a positive content. The party would involve women and children in its ‘green’ initiatives, the leaders said.
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The party was opposed to the proliferation of toddy shops which were selling illicit liquor and welcomed the High Court’s recent observations on the issue, they said.
“We have always stood for total prohibition. But the toddy business today has nothing to do with toddy tapping,” Mr. Basheer said.
Lack of regulation was a major problem and the State government should view the High Court observations seriously, he added.
Protest planned
The meetings also adopted resolutions in protest against the ‘shoddy’ treatment meted out by to passengers to the Gulf region by Air India.
Air India’s action of cancelling flights and effecting a steep hike in air fares to the Gulf and domestic sectors had no justification.
The national carrier’s attitude to a segment that made contributions to the country’s economy was cruel. The IUML would organise protest demonstrations in Kozhikode, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram in addition to a Parliament march, the leaders said.
The working committee’s resolution on copra procurement noted that the support price of raw coconut had not been increased in the last four years.
The Union and State governments should take steps to procure raw coconut to help growers, it said.