Date:28/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/28/stories/2008122851710300.htm

Tamil Nadu

“Declare Tiruvarur as disaster-affected”

Special Correspondent

TIRUVARUR: Farmers in the Cauvery delta region of Tiruvarur district on Friday requested the State government to take steps with the Centre and declare the district as ‘disaster-affected’ as the last month’s heavy rain had caused havoc to the agricultural crops and other property.

Participating in the farmers grievances day meeting convened by M. Chandrasekaran, Collector here on Friday, P. R. Pandian, a farmer, requested the Collector to take steps with the Government for declaring the district as disaster-affected. He also urged the Collector for providing adequate compensation to the farmers whose crops were affected by the rains.

K. Vaduganathan, another farmer, wanted the Government to implement the National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREG) Scheme in full swing and provide employment to the agricultural labourers under the scheme to improve their economic condition.

Masilamani, a progressive farmer, requested the Collector to ensure adequate compensation for the crops damaged both in the wet and dry lands. He also wanted special relief assistance for the prawn farms affected by the rains. Mr. Dhanapal, representing farmers association, suggested that water supply from Mettur reservoir should be released for delta irrigation only after getting the opinions of the Collectors of the delta districts.

Marudappan of Mannargudi, an agriculturist, wanted the Government to waive kist for all the agricultural lands affected by the rains and ensure adequate power supply for agricultural pumpsets to raise paddy crop in Needamangalam area.

M. Chandrasekaran, Collector, replying to the representations by the farmers, said that the district administration had submitted to the Government that nearly Rs.743 crore of paddy crops and other properties were lost in the heavy rains. He said that he had also discussed with the top Government officials and submitted proposals for permanent solution for tackling disasters.

The Collector said that the paddy crops could be insured under the crop insurance scheme till end of this month and appealed to the farmers to make use of the opportunity. He pointed out that the Agriculture department had adequate stock of seeds of pulses, gingelly, groundnut, etc., for raising it in the ensuing season.