Farmers block Thanjavur-Nagappattinam road seeking crop insurance claims

Farmers from Alangudi, Raramuthirakkottai, Pulavarnatham, Kudikadu, Nellithoppu, Shenbagapuram Kumilakkudi and Poondi gathered in front of the Poondi Primary Agriculture Cooperative Credit Society (PACCS) near Ammapettai and raised slogans demanding payment of crop insurance claims for the lost samba crop during last season.

Members of Tamil Nadu Farmers Association who organised the protest, pointed out though 1,530 farmers from the villages have insured their crop through the PACCS, so far only 2 farmers have been paid crop insurance claims. The farmers later moved to the Thanjavur-Nagappattinam highways and blocked the traffic.

Following this, Rani, Tashildar of Papanasam, Selavaraj, DSP of Papanasam and the officials of Kumbakonam central cooperative bank rushed to the spot and held talks with the protesters.

Though the farmers withdrew their road blockade they resorted to a sit-in agitation in front of the PACCS.

The officials said of the 1,530 farmers who insured their crop the insurance claims for 430 farmers from four villages of Poondi 1, Poondi 2, Shenbagapuram 1, Shenbagapuram 2 were not received. The claims to the remaining farmers would be disbursed immediately and for the 430 farmers the claims would be settled by October 10, the officials assured. Following the assurance, farmers dispersed.