CHENNAI: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday reiterated that the Chennai-Salem Green Corridor project would be implemented without affecting farmers and that acquisition of lands would be made prudently - i.e., land acquisition would be done only where it is absolutely necessary and sufficient compensation would be paid to farmers and others.
The CM gave this assurance when DMK MLA A Sundar, during the discussion on the demands for grants for agriculture department, said there were reports that thousands of acres of farmlands would be acquired and many villages near Uthiramerur would disappear. He said the DMK would have no objection if the project was implemented after allaying the fears of stakeholders.
“It is a special scheme of the Central government. Unlike the other road projects, this corridor is being designed to be accident-free. People need not have fears about this project. Deliberately, some people with a view to stalling this project are spreading wrong information about this.”
He said even when small extent of lands are acquired from farmers, they will be given due compensation. If their houses are affected, government would construct greenhouses so that the project will be implemented without affecting farmers.
TN govt to give kit to farmers, labourers
Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami clarified that the loss of lives due to pesticide poisoning was only because the persons involved failed to adopt safety measures necessary for the job. Agriculture Minister R Doraikkannu said that in Perambalur district, when such deaths occurred, enquiries revealed that the persons who died after applying pesticides did not adhere to safety aspects. Instead, they mixed extra quantities of pesticides than prescribed and were engaged in the job for a much longer time. This caused the deaths and now, agriculture department is advising farmers about the safety aspects to be adopted for applying pesticides.
Agriculture Minister announced that a kit would be given to farmers and labourers which contains a face mask, spectacles, cap, gloves, first aid medicines etc., besides a note on the safety measures to be adopted ahead of applying pesticides. It would cost Rs 2.84 cr.