Enraged over the distraint proceedings launched against them by primary agricultural cooperative societies in various parts of Thanjavur district, farmers demanded that the proceedings be stopped immediately.
Raising the issue at farmers’ grievance day meet here on Friday, the district president of the Tamilaga Viasayigal Sangam R. Sukumar said that at a time when farmers were seeking waiver of their crop loans following crop loss because of drought, pest attack, and floods between 2011 and 2014, the distraint proceedings against the suffering farmers tantamount to an assault on the livelihood of farmers.
Affected farmers from Tiruvidaimarudur, Orathanad, and Thanjavur regions alleged that those who come to demand repayment of crop loans from the cooperative societies did not seem to be employees and they behave in a rude fashion with the household people, including women, who were disturbed by their behaviour and attitude.
When the Joint Director of Agriculture Sekar tried to intervene and say something, angry farmers took exception to his remarks, and countered him vehemently alleging that the official had helped traders and not farmers.
Agitated farmers bluntly countered him for his inadequate support saying he would do well to go away from the district or they would be forced to protest. Farmers took exception to the absence of many heads of government departments at the meeting.
District Revenue Officer Chandrasekaran assuaged the feelings of farmers and promised that he would take up the issue of cooperative societies launching distraint proceedings against defaulters and see if anything could be done.
Section of farmers said the work of the Agricultural Engineering Department scarcely benefited them and they need to depend on private players for many of the needs involving major farm implements that were cost prohibitive. In turn, the cost of production increased, they said. When the Centre was allocating and spending crores of rupees on farmers, lax officials did not take benefits to farmers who continued to slug it out on the fields for decades, they alleged.
After the walk out carrying pots on their heads to highlight their plight following the distraint proceedings, farmers said they wanted the Centre to present a separate agricultural budget so that farmers could get a better deal. “We have been insisting on remunerative price for our produce and once that was achieved, we need not lean on other factors,” they said.
However, a farmer from Pinnayur took exception to the protests and demonstrations.
