The Hindu : `Begin food-for-work at the earliest'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

`Begin food-for-work at the earliest'

By S. Vydhianathan

CHENNAI FEB. 25. The State Government has directed District Collectors to take up the food-for-work programme at the earliest to provide employment to farm workers, who have been rendered jobless following widespread crop failure.

A Government order issued last week has given guidelines on the work to be undertaken and the modalities of implementation. Works to be executed included desilting of tanks and channels, creation of fish ponds and laying of roads in rural areas.

The State has already sought Rs. 162 crores from the Centre under the National Calamity Fund for employment generation for affected farmers and agricultural labourers. At least one work will be taken up in each habitation, for penetration of jobs in rural areas. The Public Works department, the Highways department and the Agriculture Engineering and Rural Development department are asked to give to the district administration their list of works to be taken up under the programme, according to officials sources.

Already, Collectors have identified the works to be executed in their areas. As per Central Government norms, each worker would be paid a daily wage of Rs. 55, consisting of seven kg of rice and the balance in cash. They are directed to minimise the use of machines to provide more employment to the affected workers.

However, agriculturists feel that the programme would help only farm workers and small and marginal landholders in getting employment and not agriculturists owing five acres who depend on farm income. There is also scepticism whether the farm workers, who are accustomed to agriculture-based works, would accept jobs under the programme, which involves hard labour.

Referring to payment of compensation to farmers, who lost their kuruvai, officials said the State was already in touch with the Centre to increase the compensation, in view of the successive crop failures in the State. As per the Central Government norms, the compensation is Rs. 1,000 an acre.

Meanwhile, out of 15 lakh families, who registered under the 30-kg free rice scheme in the State, only nine lakh families have received free rice. It is said the rest have chosen not to avail themselves of free rice, either out of ``self-respect'' or because they might not be in need of free supply, say the officials

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