Alappuzha: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Sunday the state government will not implement the curbs imposed by the Union government on cattle trade and said the state’s food habit was “not decided from Delhi or Nagpur." "The Union government issued the rules on the eve of Ramzan and the third anniversary of the government,” he said while addressing a meeting organized by the CPM at Punnapra in Alappuzha. “It was the result of an agenda. It created panic among the people.”
A majority of the people of the state, irrespective of cast or colour, eat meat, the chief minister said. “The meat-eating habit contributes to their better health, and helps Kerala maintain a life span higher than the national average. Meat is a nutritious food article, and the state has no plans to change its habits.” He said the “ban” would affect the livelihood of more than five lakh people actively engaged in dairy farming in the state. "It would affect the entire farming sector,” he said. “The Centre should withdraw the rules."
Govt plans ladies hostels in all towns
The state government would give priority to women's empowerment and the projects which would provide a better living for women, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Inaugurating a public meeting held as part of the 19th anniversary of Kudumbashree here, the Chief Minister said that there should be a situation where women could access public spaces.
“We need an atmosphere that could make women financially sound and legally literate. Keeping it in mind, the government is planning to construct hostels in all cities to provide safe and secure accommodation to employed women,” he said. The government would set up hygienic toilets in all towns for women. Rs 161 crore had been set aside for Kudumbashree, the chief minister said, and added that new women enterprises would be introduced using this fund.
