Thoothukudi
Collector Sandeep Nanduri on Monday said that 40,373 farmers in the district, who suffered losses following the fall armyworm attack last year, would be given a compensation of ₹33.08 crore, the highest in the State.
Addressing reporters, the Collector said that the Chief Minister had announced a compensation of ₹186 crore for farmers from 17 districts affected due to the fall armyworm attack. In Thoothukudi, around 44,000 hectares of maize crops was affected by the fall armyworm.
Mr. Nanduri said that steps to disburse the compensation would be taken this week. Various details, including bank account numbers, would be verified before disbursing the crop insurance to avoid errors, he added.
Further, he said that four firkas were identified in the district under Jal Sakthi Abhiyan for taking up various measures, including desilting tanks and improving rainwater harvesting structures to improve water conservation. In order to promote community effort in the initiative, schools would conduct rallies and awareness activities, he said.
Speaking about the Mullakadu desalination project with 60 MLD capacity and an outlay of ₹634 crore announced by the Chief Minister in the Assembly, he said that surplus water from the plant would also be provided for drinking, after use by industries on the SIPCOT premises.
