A sum of ₹ 74.83 crore has been allotted as drought relief for Virudhunagar district that would be shortly electronically transferred to as many as 1,55,102 farmers who have lost their crop in 85.57 hectares of land.
The Minister for Dairy Development, K.T. Rajenthra Bhalaji, on Tuesday said this while handing over drought relief fund to 18 farmers to mark the commencement of fund distribution in the district.
“The funds would be transferred to the farmers’ bank accounts through electronic means in a day or two,” he said.
Stating that all the districts in the State have been declared drought-hit following the failure of North East monsoon, Mr. Rajenthra Bhalaji said, the negative effect of monsoon failure was evident in all the nine taluks in the district in the form of crop loss.
Among the nine taluks, Aruppukottai was the worst hit with as many as 61,633 farmers suffering crop loss on over 31,000 Ha. The highest amount of drought relief fund of ₹ 24.38 crore has been allocated to Aruppukottai taluk.
While Tiruchuli has got ₹ 12.50 crore, Sattur comes third with a relief amount of ₹7.86 crore.
Pat for officials
Mr. Bhalaji appreciated the efforts of the officials of Virudhunagar district for collating all details of farmers affected by drought.
The Minister said that adequate funds had been allocated under drought relief for taking up works to ensure smooth supply of drinking water to people across the district.
The officials have been asked to identified areas with good groundwater source to sink new borewells for supplying water to nearby areas that faced water shortage.
Officials should set right the problems in existing borewells to supply drinking water.
Mr. Bhalaji said that instructions were given to supply water through tankers in municipal areas.
Similarly, the supply of water through combined drinking water schemes should be closely monitored to ensure daily supply of water, he added.
Virudhunagar Collector A. Sivagnanam, MP T. Radhakrishnan, MLAs S.G. Subramanian and M. Chandraprabha, District Revenue Officer C. Muthukumaran, District Rural Development Agency, Project Director Suresh, and Personal Assistant (General) to Collector A. Bhoomi, were present.
