‘Posts at integrated agri centres to be filled after MCC ends’

The petitioner, R Umapathi had submitted that the then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2016 had announced the creation of a VVM in every taluk in the State. “It was because the farmers had to contact the district level agriculture department for getting advice on various subjects relating to crop suitability, good seeds, soil test and other aspects, resulting in it being a highly time consuming and stressful process that involves a lot of travel,” he said.

While noting that the announcement and the sanction of Rs 1.50 crore for constructing each centre had brought much cheer among the farmers, the petitioner said the centre at Thathanur village despite being provided with all infrastructure facilities is yet to function in a full-fledged manner. The Ariyalur Collector and the Joint Director of Agriculture had failed to ensure that the centre was fully functional, he said.

Recording the government’s submission that the centre located in Thathanur Valavettikkuppam village must only be utilised for agricultural activities carried out in and around the zone is not possible, the bench comprising Justices S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad said, “It could be seen that the existing agriculture extension centre in in the union office compound, Jayankondam, a new building of the integrated agriculture extension centre at Thathanur Valavettikuppam and sub agriculture centre located at Meesuruti village are being utilised by farmers of 37 villages in and around Jayankondam zone.”

The bench also recorded that prevailing vacancies like depot manager, typist and night watchman lying vacant since March 2017 would be filled up after the model code of conduct was over.

However, the bench posted the matter to June 17 for reporting compliance on its direction.