Farmers of the district have urged the high-level committee headed by Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, which toured the district on Thursday to assess the drought conditions and extent of damage to crops, to ensure that proper compensation was distributed to them before Pongal.
The committee comprising seven other ministers and nine senior IAS officers visited Mayiladuthurai, Kaliappanallur, Tarangambadi and Thethi areas on Thursday.
During the interaction with the committee, representatives of farmers associations showed the withered crops and explained the amount spent on cultivation and the extent of damage.
They reiterated their demand for crop loss compensation of Rs 25,000 per acre; Rs 10,000 each to the families of agricultural labourers and Rs 10 lakh to the families of the farmers who had committed suicide.
The farmers pointed out that even in the areas where cultivation had been taken up through other means of irrigation, the yield would be as low as 40 per cent of the usual yield. Explaining their present condition, the farmers appealed to the committee to ensure that compensation was provided to them before Pongal.
Representatives of farmers associations also demanded permanent measures to safeguard the interests of farmers. The practice of taking up relief measures at the time of emergency situation alone should be avoided, they said.
Replying to the farmers, Finance Minister Panneerselvam said “We have taken up this tour as per the orders of the CM to understand the problems. Farmers could repose faith in Chief Minister”.
Stating that the committee had heard the views of representatives of farmers associations in the presence of public representatives and officials, Panneerselvam said the committee would submit its report to the Chief Minister, who will initiate action.