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Farmers to confront K’taka CM during visit to Srirangam temple
Condemning the Centre for permitting Karnataka to prepare a DPR for the Mekedatu dam, farmers have planned to organise a rally and a black flag protest at the TN-Karnataka border on January 1, said P R Pandian, president of All Tamil Nadu Farmers Associations on Saturday.
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Speaking to mediapersons here, Pandian said the Central Government is discriminating against Tamil Nadu farmers by granting permission to the Karnataka government.
“If the dam is to be constructed for the welfare of farmers here, it can be constructed at Rasimanal, an option preferred by former CM Kamaraj. He also laid the foundation stone for the project but it was later neglected,” he said.
The association has planned to stage a rally from Hosur in Krishnagiri district on January 1 over the Mekedatu issue. It also plans to seek permission for constructing a dam at Rasimanal.
Furthermore, farmers have planned to stage a protest before the Srirangam temple here on December 18, when Karnataka Chief Minister Kumaraswamy is expected to witness the opening of ‘Sorga vasal’ in view of Vaikunda Ekadasi festival.
Pandian also condemned the recent plan mooted by the Kerala Government to construct a dam near the existing Mullaiperiyar dam.
Claiming the compensation amount announced for Gaja-hit farmers was inadequate, he said the TN government should increase the compensation for coconut farmers to Rs 5,000 per tree.
Mourning rally for fallen trees in Pattukkottai
Hundreds of farmers joined by youngsters from Pattukkottai and adjoining areas on Saturday took out a rally to mourn the loss of lakhs of coconut trees that fell in Thanjavur district due to cyclone Gaja.
The rally was organised as the 30th day memorial function, usually observed for the departed persons, for the fallen coconut trees. It was organised jointly by the Pattukkottai Delta Youth Movement, Delta Kaakkum Karangal and Indira Gandhi Youth Foundation.
The rally, which commenced from Anna Square on the northern bank of Kasangulam, passed through the main thoroughfares of Pattukkottai.
The participants, who carried pieces of the fallen trees, raised slogans demanding waiver of school and college fees for the children of coconut farmers. They also sought waiver of all crop loans for coconut farmers.
“The government should remove the uprooted trees from the fields and provide new coconut seedlings to the farmers. The electricity bill for the past two months of those living in the cyclone-affected districts should also be waived,” a farmer said.
When the rally reached its end, ‘rituals’ were done to the fallen trees, while the womenfolk sung songs of lamentation.
Former president of Pannavayal panchayat S Rajathambi flagged off the rally, which also saw the participation of representatives from various political parties.
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