The Communist Party of India (CPI) leader, R. Nallakannu, has demanded Rs. 15,000 as compensation for an acre of paddy damaged in the rains in the State.
Speaking to presspersons after inspecting damaged crops at Asur near here on Sunday, Mr. Nallakannu claimed that paddy on 30,000 hectares had been submerged in the district.
Budalur and Thirumangalalakottai in Orathanadu taluk and other areas had been inundated, affecting the paddy crop which was 20 days to 60 days old.
Besides paddy, banana and vegetables were also affected in the district. Compensation should be paid to these crops also. He also called for modification in the crop insurance scheme to benefit farmers who suffered crop damage in the rain. In the existing system, compensation is decided based on damage at the firca level.
Mr. Nallakannu said that desilting of canals and repair works to shutters had not been carried out properly by the Public Works Department prior to the monsoon. If this was done properly every year, flood damage could be minimised.
He also demanded payment of Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10,000 to houses damaged in the rains depending upon the extent of damage. The damage was heavy in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts and camps should be organised to provide relief to people in these districts.
