Date:06/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/06/stories/2008010659090300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Lakshadweep to get enough rice

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar on Saturday said that the Centre was prepared to supply as much rice to Lakshadweep as demanded considering the unique circumstances prevailing in the archipelago, a release issued by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said.

He gave this assurance to a 17-member NCP delegation led by A.M. Kasmi, president of the Lakshadweep unit of the party, which met him.

The delegation demanded to explore foreign market for copra and announce support price of Rs.4,000 for copra. The Minister assured to consider the demand favourably and promised to visit the island in the second week of February, the release said.

The delegation sought to ban big vessels and mechanised boats from fishing off the coast of Lakshadweep as it adversely affected the livelihood of traditional fisher folk of the island.

The Minister agreed to look into the issue and take steps for the protection of the traditional fishing community in the island.