While the wide-ranging initiatives for the farm sector have been hailed in the Cauvery delta region, the importance given to production and exploitation of coal bed methane (CBM) to close the energy deficit is a cause for concern.
“The Centre has made a beginning to set right the rot that set in during the 10 years of UPA rule. This cannot be done in one year,” says S. Ranganathan, secretary, Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association, speaking about the initiatives announced in the Union budget.
At the same time, CBM should not be viewed politically or legally, but geologically. “The Cauvery Delta is not Raniganj [in West Bengal, which has a coalmine], and there is a difference between lignite bed methane and coal bed methane. Mannargudi is not a coal bed, and there can be no energy security without food security,” he says.
According to Kaveri Danapalan of the Cauvery Delta Farmers Protection Association, farmers will never allow CBM exploitation in the delta region, where there is stiff opposition to the proposed CBM extraction project.
The allocation of Rs. 8 lakh crore for farm loans will barely meet the increase in the finances needed for cultivation per acre, he says.
The re-introduction of the Kisan Vikas Patra has drawn mixed response from farmers. Mr. Ranganathan says it may help the Centre generate funds, but many farmers may not be in a position to save money. “Investment by others in the scheme can help the government execute welfare schemes for farmers.”
While Mahadhanapuram V. Rajaram, working president of the Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Welfare Association, says the scheme will encourage farmers to save money, P. Ayyakannu, State vice-president of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangam, asks how farmers could think of savings when they are facing a crisis.
