Declare Nellai, Thoothukudi as drought-hit: Farmers

Farmers attached to Amman Uzhavar Manram from Keezhpavur Union in Tirunelveli district, went to the  Collectorate with dried paddy crops and raised slogans demanding compensation. They claimed that the monsoon had failed miserably and reservoirs in Tirunelveli district were dry. Because of the severe shortage of water all the crops had withered and hence farmers should be compensated to the tune of Rs.25,000 per acre demanded the farmers. 

They also demanded the state government to declare Tirunelveli district as drought hit. Similarly farmers of Tiruvengadam and its sorrounding villages in Tirunelveli district too demanded the government to declare Tirunelveli district as drought-hit and demanded compensation to the tune of Rs.25,000 per acre. At Thoothukudi, farmers of Eppodumvendran and its surrounding villages, had petitioned the Collector. In their petition, they had claimed that rainfall shortage for this year was more than 60 % and owing to it there was drought in the entire district. As a result, the rain-fed crops had failed miserably and therefore demanded a compensation of Rs.15,000 per acre for those who had planted rain-fed crops.

DMK cadre staged a protest across Thanjavur district demanding the state and the central Governments to announce the delta districts as drought-affected and disburse compensation to farmers for crop loss.

Members who rode on bullock carts with wilted crops in hand to the Panagal buildings on Anna salai, the venue of the protest, demanded waiver of all farm loans on account of the prevailing drought. They also wanted proper compensation to families of farmers who had died due to shock over the failure of samba crop due to non-availability of water. They also demanded Rs 25,000 per acre as compensation who cultivated samba paddy which later wilted. The DMK cadre wanted payment of Rs 10,000 to each for the families of farm workers. 

The protesters wanted immediate payment of arrears for sugarcane farmers who supplied cane to sugar mills. The protesters wanted agricultural electricity connection to those who have registered and waiting for years. Former Union Ministers S S Palanimanickam, T R Baalu, MLA M Ramachandran, Durai Chandrasekaran, L Ganesan, the Election committee president were among those present in the protest demonstration. Durai Chandrasekaran, MLA and district secretary presided over the protest. The DMK cadre also staged protest at Pattukkottai and Kumbakonam.

As reports of farmer’s suicides continues every day in drought-hit Tamil Nadu, farmers have attempted to drum support for their onslaught against the state government.

Coordination committee of All Farmers Associations led by PR Pandian on Monday met leader of opposition MK Stalin and sought his support for Thursday’s road roko being organised by various farmer’s association. Stalin, who recalled their earlier support to farmer’s agitations, said they would continue to express solidarity with the farmers. Stalin also said the representations of various farmer’s associations have fallen on deaf ears of the state government. Referring to their demand to convene the Assembly and adopt a special resolution to urge the Centre to declare Tamil Nadu as drought-hit, which went unheeded, Stalin said that he had even written to the Chief Minister seeking appointment to discuss farmers issue. “I am waiting for two days now. It is unfortunate that I have not received any response granting appointment for the meeting,” Stalin said.

Four farmers died in Nagapattinam due to the crop failure in 24 hours from Sunday late evening. 

Sources said, Paneer Selvam (50) of Keezha Nattiruppu near Thirukuvalai in Nagapattinam district was upset due to crop failure in his one acre land. On Sunday evening, he committed suicide by hanging in his house. His relatives sent the body for a post morterm. 

Meanwhile, Thambusamy (57), a small time farmer from Keezha Kaavaalakudi who could not bear to see his wilting Samba crops collapsed in his land and died on the spot on Sunday evening.  Meanwhile two more farmers from Vedaranyam block, A Vethaiyan (74) and P Nagarathinam (60) died due to heart attack. Vethaiyan is from Kadinelvayal Keezhakkaadu and his son Devarajan has taken up Samba cultivation in less than one acre.  With no access to the Cauvery water, the crops have withered.