Opposition walks out over paddy farmers' neglect in Kerala

The Opposition Congress-led UDF staged a walkout in the Kerala Assembly on March 17, 2025, accusing the ruling LDF government of neglecting paddy farmers. They claim the government is siding with mill owners in the procurement process, forcing farmers to accept discounts. UDF leaders highlighted a specific case in Kottayam where farmers faced a 2% discount on their paddy. They argued that this practice is new and detrimental, predicting further increases in discounts in the coming years. In response, Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil stated that the issue in Kottayam had been resolved and criticized the UDF for misleading the Assembly. He noted that mill owners are now focused on quality due to a recent court ruling affecting procurement ratios.