Farmers seek early disbursement of compensation for crop loss

Farmers of Thoothukudi district complained against an Agricultural Officer from Kazhugumalai for allegedly demanding bribe for providing free testing seeds at the monthly grievance meeting held at the Collectorate on Monday.

Farmers of Thoothukudi district complained against an Agricultural Officer from Kazhugumalai for allegedly demanding bribe for providing free testing seeds at the monthly grievance meeting held at the Collectorate on Thursday.

The farmers requested District Collector K. Elambahavath to order disbursement of compensation for crop damage to all those severely affected by the recent rainfall. They also demanded prompt action to facilitate disbursal of crop insurance. A section of the farmers raised a complaint against an Agricultural Officer from Kazhugumalai who “demanded bribe for providing free testing seeds.”

They urged the government to remove Prosopis juliflora (seemai karuvelam) trees grown along the Tamirabharani, which had led to embankment breaches that resulted in damage to agricultural fields during the floods. The farmers further alleged that the authorities had not taken adequate steps to remove these invasive species completely.

They also highlighted the need to restore the bridges in Eral and Athur, which were damaged in last year’s floods. The farmers from Vilathikulam, Pudur, Ettayapuram and Kovilpatti submitted petitions regarding wild boar menace.

In reply to their complaints, the Collector said an assessment of crop damage was under way and the report would be submitted to the government to announce appropriate compensation. He said efforts to remove seemai karuvelam trees from Tamirabharani river were going on and sewage treatment plants would be established to prevent contamination of the river water.

Mr. Elambahavath said comprehensive measures would be implemented to mitigate the problem of wild boar menace, and recommendations for compensation for crop damage caused by wild animals would be forwarded to the government.

He said steps were being taken to ensure timely disbursement of compensation for crops with coordinated efforts among the government departments. He also advised the officials to respond responsibly to farmers and added that appropriate action would be taken against the Kazhugumalai Agricultural Officer.