The Tamizhaga Tank and River Ayacutdars Association has decided not to support any political party in the Lok Sabha election.
A resolution adopted at the State executive meeting held here on Friday said that neither regional nor national political parties had made any poll promise worthwhile in the interest of the farming community in their manifesto. Hence, it has been decided to not extend support to any party, the resolution said. The resolution said that farmers have been pleading for the implementation of the recommendations of the M.S.Swaminathan Committee report for higher price for farm produce.
Secondly, none of the political parties had paid attention to the plight of the drought-hit farmers who have been demanding waiver of farm loans. Failure of monsoon and poor discharge of water in the Cauvery had resulted in a serious drought-like condition causing distress to farmers, the resolution said.
In a press release issued here, P.Viswanathan, State president of the forum, said the meeting also adopted a resolution pleading for interlinking of rivers across the country for ensuring assured irrigational facility to water-starved areas. The meeting specifically referred to the poor response in resolving the Cauvery issue and denying due share for Tamil Nadu. The setting up of the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulatory Authority were some of the long-pending demands which the DMK, AIADMK and Congress (I) had supported, the body said. The plans for interlinking the Kundaru-Cauvery and Chinnamutlur Anicut system in adjoining Perambalur district and the Marudhaiyaru project in Ariyalur district were yet to be implemented. The meeting also referred to the refusal of a few private sugar mills to increase sugarcane price to Rs.3,500 a tonne, which has disappointed the farmers, Mr. Viswanathan said.
