Thiruvananthapuram: Questions are mounting over the effectiveness of Prof. KV Thomas, the Kerala government’s special representative in New Delhi, as the state’s paddy farmers remain in financial distress. Despite holding a high-profile cabinet-rank position aimed at liaising with the Center, Thomas is facing severe backlash for his alleged silence while ₹1,360 crore in paddy procurement arrears remains stuck with the Central Government.
The Massive Debt Burden
According to details provided by Food Minister G.R. Anil in the State Assembly today, the financial situation for Kerala’s farmers is dire. The total arrears for paddy procurement have reached a staggering ₹1,360 crore.
The breakdown of the dues is as follows:
- Central Government Dues: ₹1,343.83 crore (accumulated from the financial year 2017-18 to 2025-26).
- State Government Dues: ₹16.12 crore.
- Blocked Payments: It is reported that Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal has currently withheld ₹16.12 crore, which was intended for the State Incentive Bonus for farmers.
”Cabinet-Rank Leisure” at Taxpayers’ Expense
Critics argue that KV Thomas was appointed to the Delhi post with a hefty salary and cabinet perks specifically to secure Kerala’s interests and release pending funds from the Union Government. However, as farmers reach the brink of suicide due to debt, the “Special Envoy” has been accused of doing little more than frequenting flights between Delhi and Kerala.
The growing sentiment is that while the state government claims to have no money to pay the poor farmers for the crops they labored over, it continues to spend millions on the political rehabilitation of veteran leaders.
Lack of Accountability
The failure to even identify the specific procedural hurdles preventing the release of these funds has put KV Thomas in the crosshairs of the opposition and farmer unions. Observers note that it is “unfortunate” that a representative with such vast political experience is unable to exert any pressure on the Center to release the ₹1,343 crore debt that has been pending for nearly eight years.
As the agricultural crisis deepens, the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government is facing heat for prioritizing “political tourism” in Delhi over the survival of the state’s farming community.
