Farmers of Kalakudi demand payment for paddy bags procured at DPC

Farmers of Kalakudi demand payment for paddy bags procured at DPC

More than 50 farmers from Kalakudi near Thiru uthirakosamangai in Ramanathapuram district thronged the Collectorate on Monday alleging that payment for the paddy bags procured at the Direct Procurement Centre (DPC) had not been disbursed even after 40 days.

Village Head Sakthivel said, “Paddy was procured from the farmers in our village through the DPC starting from February 12. We sold 12,650 paddy bags worth ₹2.38 crore. Though more than 40 days passed, money was credited to the bank account of even a single farmer so far.”

We had raised the issue with the procurement officials many times, but no action was taken, he stated.

“We have submitted a request petition to the Collector demanding the immediate credit of funds. If no action is taken, we will stage a road blockade in our village. If the situation persists, we will resort to a boycott of the elections,” he threatened.

The farmers said that they were concerned only about the payment and condemned the nonchalant attitude of the bureaucrats in the district.

A few other farmers said that a majority of them had raised the crop in small areas. “We are largely small and marginal farmers....The officials, who were responsible for purchases, have been avoiding us. They simply say that funds will come soon and that it will be credited to our accounts directly,” they added.