The district administration has taken up with the Agriculture Commissioner the demand for increasing the quantum of fertilizers distributed through the primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACBs) in the district, Collector Jayashree Muralidharan said here on Friday.
The Collector gave the information at the farmers' grievances day meeting while responding to complaint from R.Raja Chidambaram, State Secretary, Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam. Mr.Raja Chidambaram alleged that there was a scarcity of fertilizer as the previous government had issued an order three months prior to the elections stating that only 50 per cent of the allotted fertilizers should be distributed through the PACBs and the rest through private dealers.
“This has caused the scarcity and farmers were not able to get fertilizers through PACBs. With farmers commencing cultivation of cotton and maize in rain-fed areas, they require basal fertilizers, especially potash. The government should immediately regulate the distribution of fertilizers,” he said.
J.Sekar, Joint Director of Agriculture, said there was a shortage due to delay in imports and a consignment of potash was expected to arrive in the district by the month-end. Currently, about 300 tonnes of potash was available with the PACBs in the district.
Earlier, Ms.Muralidharan also ordered the Revenue Divisional Officer, Lalgudi, to file a report with respect to another complaint from Mr.Raja Chidambaram alleging that the lands belonging to the Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple at Tirupattur near Tiruchi were being given on 99-year lease to some by the Executive Officer of the temple.
The Collector also directed the Assistant Director of Survey to complete survey of lands with respect to applications for patta name transfers wherever sub-divisions were involved. The Chief Minister has said that the name transfers in such cases should be completed within a month. Ms.Muralidharan cautioned the officials that she would brook no delay and would not hesitate to even suspend officials failing to comply with the deadline. A.Puliyur Nagarajan of Horticulture Crop Producers Association called upon the district administration to take steps to ensure that movement of banana, vegetables and other agricultural produce were not affected owing to the lorry strike.
P.Ayyakannnu, State general secretary, Bharathiya Kisan Sangam, urged the government to provide free power to all farmers including those engaged in horticulture, floriculture, sericulture and aquaculture. Ms.Muralidharan and K.Venkataraman, Additional Chief Engineer, TANGEDCO, said the matter would be taken up with the government as it was a policy matter.
Earlier, a section of farmers organisations led by K.Sivarasu, district secretary, AIADMK farmers wing, welcomed the Chief Minister's announcement on sanction of Rs.3,000 crore as crop loan for promoting farm mechanisation. They also welcomed the move to set up a cold storage at Srirangam for banana and other crops.
