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Centre melts

Centre melts in a major shift, the Union government is contemplating changes in its drought relief norms to accommodate Kerala's claim of compensation for perennial crop loss during the dry spell in the state in 2003. At present, only losses in seasonal crops are considered for relief. Perennial crops, most of which are cash crops, are outside its ambit.

In the past two years, the state has suffered severe losses of perennial crops such as coconut, coffee, pepper and cardamom, particularly in the four districts of Palakkad, Wayanad, Idukki and Alapuzha (see:

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