1.05 lakh hectares of paddy crop damaged in Ramanathpuram district; farmers demand ₹30,000 as relief against ₹13,500 relief from govt

RAMANATHAPURAM

Demanding the Tamil Nadu government to give ₹30,000 as relief per hectare, the paddy farmers in Ramanathapuram district shouted slogans and staged a demonstration briefly during the monthly grievance meeting held here on Friday.

District Collector Johny Tom Varghese chaired the meeting in which Joint Director (Agriculture) Saraswathi, Cooperative Department Joint Director Muthukumar, Ramanathapuram District Central Cooperative Bank MD Manoharan, PA (Agriculture) to Collector Dhanuskodi and other officers participated.

The farmers led by Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam district president Muthuraman said that though the officers inspected the damaged crops, almost three months had gone by but they have not got any relief so far.

Immediately, the Collector intervened and asked the officials to respond to which Mr. Dhanuskodi said that the government inspection showed that a total of 1,34,859 hectares of paddy had been raised in the district and that 1,05,000 ha was damaged. The government had issued compensation of ₹13,500 per hectare in an order.

However, the farmers were up against the announcement and demanded that they be given ₹30,000 per hectare. Some among them suggested that when the farmers in the delta region had been given ₹20,000, they cannot accept ₹13,500.

After a pause, the Collector said that he would take up the matter with the State government.

Chilli farmers from Kadaladi and Mudukalathur blocks also expressed concern as drought had hit their crops.