Expressing their intention to voluntarily contribute funds for desilting Srivaikuntam dam, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) volunteers hogged attention at farmers’ grievance redressal meeting here on Thursday by sitting close to Collector M. Ravikumar’s podium to ‘beg’ for money.
They alleged that the State government was not interested in farmers’ welfare and was causing delay in allocating finds to desilt the dam. Hence, the MDMK, which moved the court to take up the much awaited work in the dam, had come forward to beg money to carry out desilting. Despite the National Green Tribunal’s order to take up desilting on a war footing in the dam, the authorities were slow in executing the work, Maharajan of the MDMK said.
He wondered whether the work would be completed ahead of the northeast monsoon to store adequate water in the dam.
The Collector, who presided over the meeting, said that based on a report prepared by a private company, Webcos, the desilting work would be carried out at an estimated cost of Rs. 5.93 core and a government order in this regard was expected soon.
He said that the credit for getting an order to desilt the dam should go to all farmers. Several farmers from Ettayapuram demanded the setting up of an Aavin plant in Tuticorin. P. Murugesan, gneral secretary, Southern Dryland Farmers’ Association, sought the removal of Prosopis juliflora, which caused depletion of groundwater table in rural water bodies.
He also sought the opening of a nationalised bank branch in Pudur union.
The Collector said Proposis juliflora was being removed in ten villages of Ottapidaram taluk under a project on a trial basis.
It would be extended to other areas soon. V. Subbaraman, farmer from Ottanatham, said there was an inordinate delay in making payments for green gram seeds procured from farmers.
Several farmers from Ettayapuram demand the setting up of an Aavin plant in Tuticorin
