THOOTHUKUDI: Members of Authoor, South Authoor, and Mukkani traders association, led by Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangam Peravai south district president Ravi, demanded that the state government disburse Rs 50,000 each to traders and interest-free loans of one lakh rupees to Rs 10 lakh, in view of the damage wreaked by the overflowing Thamirabarani river in December 2023.
Although the District Industrial Centre (DIC) officials had collected over 400 applications for loans during a loan mela at Authoor on January 10, the proposals have not been taken up. "Bankers requesting for three guarantors, government or private employees holding PAN card and KYC, had left the traders fingers crossed. In this case, the government must provide jobs to children of the affected traders," Ravi said, and noted that while loss of cattle and livestock were considered and an enumeration carried out, loss of livelihood of traders was not considered. If we calculate the loss of material and investment, it would amount to several crores. But we just request for loans ranging from one lakh rupees to Rs 10 lakh to aid traders in restarting their businesses, Ravi added.
S Sheik Abdul Kadar, president of Arampannai panchayat, said in a petition that the village was submerged after the Thamirabarani was breached at seven places. "There is public panic every monsoon due to the possibility of breach. Since the village is located on the river bank, the district administration must construct strong retaining walls," he said.
Locals of Keelpidagai at Sivaramamangalam tied black ribbons on their faces, and blamed the flooding on illegal sand mining on the bunds of the river by a private brick kiln near Varadharajapuram. While water pumps, roads, and public facilities are yet to be restored, authorities have permitted the brick kiln to resume operation, they alleged. Water stagnation around the village had triggered diseases with at least 10 people having been admitted to the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, they said.
Meanwhile, the police prevented a petitioner, M Ganesan (32) of Vasavappapuram, who had slung a plastic potable from his neck to press the district administration to restore water connection disrupted during floods.
The villagers are forced to travel several kilometers to fetch drinking water, he said, and appealed to supply water lorries. Since Ganesh protested at the collectorate road, he was escorted to SIPCOT police station, and prevented from speaking to media persons.