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Title: Requests the Central Government to look into the support price of coconut.
PROF. A.K. PREMAJAM (BADAGARA): Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to invite the attention of this august House to a burning issue as far as the State of Kerala is concerned. Though the support price has been declared by this Government in respect of coconut, the position has not improved because the support price is not fixed on the basis of reasonable grounds which ought to have been taken into account. The support price has been fixed by this Government without considering the cost of production. Hence, the price of coconut has not picked up. Moreover, because of the import policy of this Government, the prices of coconut and coconut oil have been going down and down and coconut growers in Kerala are in a very bad condition.
This is one of the products which is the backbone of the economy of Kerala and also of some neighbouring States like Karnataka and Tamilnadu.
I would like to invite the attention of this august House that, recently, because of the Exim Policy, the hon. Minister of Agriculture has announced that palm oil will also be imported. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: No, no, please.
SHRI N.K. PREMCHANDRAN (QUILON): Sir, the Chair had directed the Minister of Agriculture to have a discussion with the MPs from Kerala regarding the support price of copra. … (Interruptions) It has not been done. … (Interruptions) This is a privilege of the House. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please take your seat.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You cannot compel the Minister on every issue.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please understand that you cannot compel.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI N.K. PREMCHANDRAN : There is a direction from the Chair. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Now, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan. Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions) *
PROF. A.K. PREMAJAM : Sir, the Government is requested to look into the matter. … (Interruptions)
SHRI N.K. PREMCHANDRAN :There is a direction from the Chair.
MR. SPEAKER: No, no; please take your seat. Shri Ram Vilas Paswan.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions) *
—————————————————————————– * Not Recorded
MR. CHAIRMAN: I am going to give you chance, Shri Jos.
Yesterday also many hon. Members could not get a chance to raise their issues during `zero hour’. Today we have already started with a list. We will go by the list today. Everybody will get a chance provided hon. Members will cooperate with me in conducting the House.