The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has eyed a Green Agenda and is all set to come up with a programme of action at the grassroots-level.
The working committee of the IUML, which met here on Saturday, has also wholeheartedly welcomed the recent observations of the High Court on the need to bring down the availability of toddy and liquor in the state and reiterated its commitment to total prohibition in a phased manner.
Briefing the media, IUML state general secretary K P A Majeed and E T Mohammed Basheer MP, said that the Green Agenda of the party would cover all aspects of environment issues. A conscientisation exercise to protect land and rivers in the state, apart from laying stress on planting and protection of saplings and large scale organic farming will be the focus, Mohammed Basheer said. “It is known to all that under the cover of toddy, illicit liquor is flowing into the state. The toddy production in the state and quantity sold in shops have no co-relation. If you add the number of accidents and the incidence of diseases borne from alcoholism, the revenue from liquor sales is far below the cost to overcome the negative factors,” he said.
How traditional industry sectors such as toddy tapping could be done away with in a state like Kerala, he said that the world was changing and all had to keep pace with it.
Asked whether the new-found love for environment of the IUML would not be at odds with the keenness of the outfit to realise development at any cost and usher in industries, he said that the party had a clear-cut view on the issue. “Worldwide, a debate is going on in ecology vs technology. It has been proved that an eco-friendly industrial development concept and practice is indeed possible. An adamant stand on eco-issues is not a good sign,” he said.
The working committee assessed that the present UDF Government has put the state on a growth trajectory and the policies and programmes are benefiting commoners. In another resolution, the meet urged the government to ensure revision of minimum support price to raw coconut, which is still hovering at a price fixed four years ago.
President Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal presided over the meet. Union Minister E Ahammed, Ministers P K Kunhalikutty, P K Abdu Rabb, V K Ebrahim Kunju and Manjalamkuzhi Ali, MLAs and office-bearers of the party and feeder organizations attended the meet.