Proceedings of the meeting of the Reception Committee of S. K. District Swatantra Party Conference held on 4–10–1959.

Summary

This five-page proceedings record documents the 4 October 1959 meeting of the Reception Committee for the South Kanara District Swatantra Party Conference. It records the election of office-bearers, the appointment of additional committee members, and the formation of invitation, arrangements, finance, and office subcommittees. The committee decided to hold the conference on 25 October 1959 in Mangalore and assigned responsibility for accommodation, invitations, fundraising, and conference administration.

The substantive resolution opposes the Mysore Government’s proposed levy of 10 per cent of agricultural holdings for procurement supplies for Fair Price Shops. The committee argues that earlier procurement had depressed production, raised rice prices, diverted supplies to Kerala, and harmed small cultivators and rural consumers. It predicts that further procurement would intensify shortages, official interference, corruption, hoarding, and price increases, and threatens a Food Freedom Movement if the policy continues. J. M. Lobo Prabhu also frames the Swatantra Party, inaugurated by C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), as an opposition party defending the independence of individuals and opposing Congress totalitarian policies.

Key points

• The meeting elected the Reception Committee’s president, vice-chairmen, and additional members.
• Invitation, arrangements, finance, and office subcommittees were established for the district conference.
• The South Kanara Swatantra Party Conference was scheduled for 25 October 1959 in Mangalore.
• The adopted resolution attacks Mysore procurement policy as damaging to production, markets, and rural consumers.
• The resolution claims that rice prices had risen from about Rs. 20 to Rs. 31 per moora after earlier procurement measures.
• The committee predicts that compulsory procurement would worsen shortages, corruption, hoarding, and prices.
• The document presents the Swatantra Party as an opposition force defending individual independence against Congress policies.