Minister lied about desilting of Cauvery channels, raps DMK

Former minister and DMK MLA K Ponmudi said the state electricity minister Thangamani had lied about desilting the channels carrying Cauvery water to deflect public anger from the CM who had annoyed the people by taking a dip in Cauvery River after releasing water for Mahapushkaram, mainly when farmers were complaining about agrarian crisis. Advising farmers to make a judicious use of Cauvery, Thangamani, after releasing water from Mettur Dam on October 2, had said that all channels carrying Cauvery water had been desilted for the benefit of farmers. 

Taking exception to Thangamani’s statement, Ponmudi on Tuesday said the state farmers would not believe the pretentions of the ruling AIADMK which had failed to get Prime Minister’s appointment for agitating farmers. He also alleged that the AIADMK government had failed to keep up its promise made in the state assembly on paying compensation to families of deceased farmers. Also referring to the stay obtained by the state government in the Supreme Court against the Madras High Court order directing it to waive farm loans, Ponmudi said the same government was spreading lies to make people believe that it was espousing the cause of farmers.

The DMK district secretary mentioned that the Cauvery desilting did not even feature in the CM’s statement dated September 28 and added that the CM who holds PWD portfolio was aware that Cauvery channels were not desilted and no progress has been achieved in the work which was proposed three years ago during the AIADMK regime. Advising the minister not to spread falsehood, Ponmudi asked the minister to use his good offices to distribute compensation to the families of over 400 farmers who had committed suicide in the state.