CHENNAI: PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Friday urged the State government to immediately distribute the kuruvai cultivation package, alleging that farmers have been waiting for the assistance for 70 days despite the government issuing an order for it on June 12.
In a statement, Anbumani said the government had announced assistance worth Rs 4,000 per acre for kuruvai farmers across the State, including those in the Cauvery Delta districts, through fertilisers, seeds and direct financial assistance. However, the package had still not reached farmers, he alleged.
"Assistance to farmers must be provided with the same urgency as oxygen is administered to a patient in an emergency ward," Anbumani said, urging the government to act immediately.
He added that the package was meant to support farmers during transplantation and the period immediately afterwards. Since transplantation has already been completed and harvesting is expected to begin shortly, the delay was unjustified, he said.
Anbumani pointed out that the kuruvai procurement season is scheduled to begin on September 1, leaving the government only 10 days to provide the assistance.
He recalled that the PMK had repeatedly urged the government to provide the package, particularly as the Mettur Dam had not been opened for irrigation this year. Following these demands, the government issued the order on June 12, he said.