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Banana growers in Tiruchi seek early compensation

July 26, 2014 11:18 am | Updated 11:19 am IST - TIRUCHI:

Farmers incurred a huge loss because of gale and drought since 2012 and they want adequate compensation for the loss incurred by coconut cultivators in Tiruchi.

Farmers distributing sweets to Collector Jayashree Muralidharan and other officials at grievance day meeting in Tiruchi on Friday. Photo: G. Gnanvelmurugan

Banana growers who spoke at the monthly grievances day meeting here on Friday urged the district administration to take steps to disburse compensation to the crop lost during the drought and gale in the past seasons.

They wanted adequate compensation for the loss incurred by coconut cultivators in the district. A. Nagarajan, a progressive farmer of Puliyur, said although farmers had incurred a huge loss because of drought and gale in the past three seasons since 2012, compensation had not been announced by the State government.

C. Masilamani, district president of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, said the delay in the announcement of compensation made the affected farmers lose their hope of any succour from the State government.

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Mr. Nagarajan and P. Viswanathan, state president of Tamizhaga Eri Mattrum Aatrupasana Vivasayigal Sangam, protested the Centre’s directive to the State government to suspend the incentive for paddy growers. They said the State government’s incentive of Rs. 70 and Rs. 50 for fine variety and common variety of paddy was planned to be withdrawn which, they said, was anti-farmer attitude.

When a few farmers underlined the need for suspension of distraint proceedings against those who had not repaid their dues, Jayashree Muralidharan, District Collector, who presided over the meeting, replied that she had impressed upon the bank officials to desist from such action. However, the Collector advised farmers capable of repaying their dues to be prompt in repaying their dues. She clarified that the re-scheduling of farm loans should not be misunderstood as a means for waiver of loans.

P. Ayyakannu, State vice-president of Bharatiya Kisan Sangam, wanted stern action against the monkey and wild pig menace causing extensive damage to the crops. The Collector assured him of taking action in the matter.

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R. Raja Chidambaram, state secretary of the Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam, said the modified crop insurance scheme did not benefit farmers much. The jurisdiction of the insurance benefits had been revised from the tiny village-level unit to a larger firka-based unit. This pushed up the premium rate for farmers with less benefits.

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