Overview
- Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar wrote to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman seeking withdrawal of the directive or separate treatment for Kerala, arguing the state is not a surplus producer.
- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called the Centre’s stance that higher paddy output is a burden unacceptable and urged the Union government to reconsider.
- LDF convener T. P. Ramakrishnan demanded immediate withdrawal of the move and warned it could undermine food self‑sufficiency, as Agriculture Minister P. Prasad termed the suggestion unacceptable.
- Kerala says it pays an additional ₹6.31 per kg over the MSP for paddy procurement and alleges delayed release of the Centre’s share of procurement assistance.
- The Centre’s letter also urged shifting incentives toward pulses, oilseeds and millets, and as of February 9 there has been no public reversal, with the issue gaining traction ahead of state elections.