Taking exception to distraint proceedings being initiated against farmers defaulting on loans, farmers’ representatives of the district have urged the State government to declare the district ‘drought-hit’ in the wake of deficit monsoon.
The farmers also urged the district administration to take steps for sanctioning compensation to ryots who sustained crop losses, especially banana, owing to the drought-like conditions in 2013.
Raising the issue at the farmers’’ grievances meeting here on Friday, P.Ayyakannu, State vice-president, Bharathiya Kisan Sangam, said the district had been experiencing drought-like condition over the past three years and the poor monsoon has adversely affected farmers in the rain-fed areas with water sources going dry. Farmers, whose banana, coconut, cotton, lemon and other crops were damaged, should be adequately compensated, he said.
Farmers, who had raised Andhra Ponni paddy variety, have also sustained losses due to blast disease. The district administration should stop the distraint proceedings and auction of jewels pledged by farmers, who were unable to pay the loans, he demanded.
C.Masilamani, district president, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, said banana crop in over 30,000 acres had withered due to the drought-like conditions since 2011. Similarly, coconut and horticulture crops were also affected. Though the district administration had assured to take steps for sanctioning compensation, nothing has come out of it so far.
Responding to the complaints, District Collector K.S.Palanisamy assured to take up the matter with the government. R.Subramanian, deputy secretary, District Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association, said banana growers who sustained losses in 2013 should be sanctioned compensation under the insurance scheme. He also called for steps to set up an integrated market complex for flowers in the district.
P.Viswanathan, president, Tamizhaga Eri Mattrum Attru Pasana Vivasayigal Sangam, urged the government to waive crop loans and end the distraint proceedings against farmers immediately.
He also urged the district administration to take steps to desilt tanks in the district and release water for irrigation in the Peruvalai canal to meet the requirements of standing crops.
Urging the government to ensure the irrigational rights of the 17 irrigation canals, A.Nagarajan of Puliyur sought the release of 3,000 cusecs of water from the Mettur reservoir to meet the requirement of standing crops, including banana and betel vine.
