Date:01/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/01/stories/2007110161190600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Plan to desilt Amaravathy

Staff Reporter

At a cost of Rs. 84 crore

KARUR: Desilting of Amaravathy river and renovation works to the embankments would be carried out at a cost of Rs. 84 crore.

State Government had sanctioned the work that would benefit farmers in Karur, Erode and Coimbatore districts, Collector T. N. Venkatesh said here on Tuesday. The Government Order in this connection is expected soon, he added.

Participating in a farmers’ grievances day meeting, Mr. Venkatesh said that the embankments would be completely renovated and authorities have sought permission to release Rs.7 crore during 2007-08 as the first instalment for the comprehensive works which was estimated to cost Rs. 84 crore across the three districts, he added.

When Annavi, a farmer from Koyampalli, called upon the authorities to desilt korambu formations in Raja Vaikkal, Somur Vaikkal and Periya Kottai Vaikkal, Mr. Venkatesh directed the Public Works Department’s Amaravathy Basin Division officials to expeditiously carry out desilting operations there under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

Another farmer, M. Azhagappan of Krishnarayapuram, wanted the officials to hasten masonry and other repair works in the shutters and sluices in the irrigation channels and to prevent wastage of water.

The Collector directed the officials to do the needful.

Thogamalai Farmers’ Discussion Group convener R. Satheesh sought compensation for dry land crops affected by insufficient rainfall.

Crops in many areas had withered in Thogamalai, Krishnarayapuram and Kulithalai areas.

The Collector replied that compensation was being awarded for losses suffered by wetland farmers only as per government norms.

The plight of dry land farmers in Karur district would be conveyed to the government through a special letter, he assured.

Mettumarudur Farmers’ Discussion Group Convener V. Kandasamy sought 100 per cent cash instead of the 65 per cent fertilizer and 35 per cent cash component that was being disbursed to farmers through rural cooperative banks.

He pointed out that private banks were disbursing 100 per cent cash for credit sought.

Mr. Venkatesh said that fertilizer and cash disbursal was the policy decision of the government but the sentiments of the farmers would be conveyed to the government.

Revenue Divisional Officers Seethalakshmi (Karur) and Anne Mary Swarna (Kulithalai), Joint Director of Agriculture P. Loganathan, PWD (Amaravathy Division) Executive Engineer K. Panneerselvam, PWD (River Conservation Division) Assistant Executive Engineer N. Jothimani, farmers representatives including Kulithalai A.V. Gopaladesikan, Muruga Gounder of Koyampalli, Goundampatti R. Subramanian, Panjamadevi M. Ramasamy and Karungalapalli Manoharan were among those who participated.