Date:19/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/19/stories/2007121950610100.htm

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Nod for Kisansree insurance scheme

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan says the State will pay the premium for farmers.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Kisansree insurance scheme for farmers.

The Finance Department’s objections to the scheme had raised a controversy earlier with Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran questioning the stand taken by Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac. With the Cabinet decision, the issue is all set to be resolved.

Briefing mediapersons on the Cabinet decisions, Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan said that the Cabinet had approved the proposals of the Agriculture Department regarding the scheme. The premium would be paid in full by the government. Details of the scheme, including lowering of the premium, would be discussed and decided later.

The Chief Minister announced that the Cabinet had approved the Annual Plan outlay for the coming year totalling Rs.7,605 crore. (The current year’s Plan size was Rs.6,950 crore).

Mr. Achuthanandan said that the Cabinet had also approved the proposal to set up a 25-bed hospital with a mini-operating theatre at Sabarimala. The proposal was mooted at the high-level conference convened by him on Monday to provide emergency care to pilgrims.

Each pupil of schools covered under the noon-meal scheme would be given 3 kg of rice as a New Year gift.

Land Revenue Commissioner Rajeev Sadanandan would be posted as Chairman of State Electricity Board in place of T.M. Manoharan.

Replying to a question on police action against those not using helmets on two wheelers and seat belts in cars, the Chief Minister said that investigation of crimes should get the priority. If police were neglecting investigation in the name of action against motorists, corrective steps would be taken. However, he stood by his view that people should use helmets and seat belts for their own safety.