Thiruvananthapuram, Friday 12 March 2010: The Congress-led UDF Opposition today staged a walkout from the Assembly, protesting against the alleged illegal sale of urea, meant for farmers, to industries at subsidised rates.

Following noisy scenes in the house, with the ruling LDF and the opposition leveling charges against each other, Agriculture Minister Mullakara Ratnakaran said the government is conducting a probe in this matter and is open to other enquiries as suggested by the opposition in this regard.

To allegations that the probe was being conducted by the same officer responsible for the sale, Ratnakaran said the Agriculture Secretary will conduct an enquiry on the issue and “The government will proceed further on the matter, based on that probe report,”.

Ratnakaran said instructions have been issued to cancel licence of dealers involved in the illegal sale. Opposition leader Oomen Chandy said Ratnakaran was treating the matter “casually”.