Date:08/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/08/stories/2007060805450500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Take steps for releasing Mettur water on June 12, says NCP

Special Correspondent

"Ensure remunerative price for sugarcane and paddy"

"Farmers not getting necessary inputs for raising kuruvai crops"

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu unit of the Nationalist Congress Party has urged the State Government to take steps for opening the Mettur Reservoir on June 12 to provide irrigation to kuruvai crops in the delta districts.

Talking to newsmen here on Thursday, secretary of the State unit of the party Tindivanam K. Ramamurthee said it had been the practice to release water from June 12 and the State should urge the Karnataka Government to release water for Tamil Nadu. Urging the State Government to ensure remunerative price for sugarcane and paddy and revise the wages of agricultural workers, Mr. Ramamurthee said farmers were put to hardship as they were not getting cooperative loans and necessary inputs for raising kuruvai crops. The NCP, he said, would act as a constructive opposition in the State.

Though the NCP was an alliance party of the DMK at the Centre, it would not support the State Government blindly.

Memorandum

Mr. Ramamurthee said he had met Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel recently and submitted a memorandum requesting him to take steps for an airport at Thanjavur.

The Minister had agreed to the proposal and the foundation stone would be laid soon.