CPI cadre and members of its affiliate farmers and farm labourers associations on Tuesday observed day-long fast in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Pudukottai districts urging the Centre to declare Cyclone Gaja as national disaster and sanction financial assistance sought by the State.
The party also demanded disbursement of full compensation to families whose huts and houses were damaged in the cyclone, waiver of crop, educational and SHG loans in the affected districts, hiking of compensation for crop damage, sanction of compensation to micro, small and medium enterprises and withdrawal of cases booked against people who staged agitations complaining of tardy relief.
The party demanded sanction of ₹25,000 an acre as compensation for damaged paddy crop, ₹1 lakh an acre for banana, ₹2 lakh an acre for sugarcane, ₹20,000 for every coconut or jackfruit tree, and ₹10,000 for mango and cashew tree.
CPI State Secretary R. Mutharasan participated in the fast in Tiruvarur and criticised the Centre for failing to sanction ₹15,000 crore of financial assistance sought by Tamil Nadu. He also criticised the State government for failing to ensure that the relief measures reached all affected persons.
General secretary of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, V. Duraimanickam inaugurated the fast at Pappanadu and addressed the gathering at other centres in Thanjavur district along with CPI district secretary M.A. Bharathi.
The party said the fast was observed at 59 places in Thanjavur district and 166 places in Tiruvarur district, besides scores of centres in Nagapattinam and Pudukottai districts. The MLAs and office-bearers of DMK and other friendly parties also participated to extend support to the agitation at various places.
DMK demo
Meanwhile, DMK cadre staged a demonstration in front of the Revenue Divisional Officer in Mannargudi on Tuesday demanding that compensation be granted to all types of houses damaged in the cyclone, restoration of power supply to farm connections and other demands. Tiruvarur DMK district secretary Poondi Kalaivannan led the agitation. T.R.B. Raja, MLA, and others participated.
