Tamil Nadu

Karur farmers for more DPCs

KARUR: Farmers in the district have urged the district administration to increase the direct purchase centres for paddy in Cauvery-irrigated areas well ahead of the harvest season.

Raising the issue at the farmers grievances day meeting held here on Tuesday, paddy farmers, especially those from the Kulithalai and Krishnarayapuram taluks, pointed out that usually 12 centres would be in operation and there was a felt need to increase their number.

Farmers Discussion Group conveners A.V. Gopaladesikan of Kulithalai and Satheesh of Valayapatti said that it would be beneficial if the authorities opened DPCs at least a week ahead of the harvest season.

The farmers would benefit by selling their harvested paddy to the centres than to private dealers, they added.

Collector J. Umamaheswari assured the farmers that she would look into the matter.

Deputy secretary of Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Welfare Association Kavandampatti R. Subramanian called for expediting the establishment of transformers in his area.

Dr. Umamaheswari said that the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board staff would ensure that the work would be completed shortly.

Noyyal River and Channel Tail-end Aycutdars’ Association president P.R. Ramsamy rued that pollution in Noyyal has forced degradation of farmlands in the aycutdars. For over 17 years, the ecological assault has continued unabated.

The State Government and the authorities should take immediate steps to address the situation. Dr. Umamaheswari observed that the authorities were seized of the matter.

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