Revenue division-level grievance redress meeting held for farmers in Thoothukudi

Revenue divisional-level farmers’ grievance redress meeting in Thoothukudi addresses farmers' concerns, including drainage, irrigation, and wildlife issues.

The revenue divisional-level farmers’ grievance redress meeting was held in Thoothukudi, Tiruchendur and Vilaathikulam on Tuesday.

In the meeting held at Thoothukudi, farmers from Sirupaadu near Pudukottai appealed to officials to drain the stagnant sewage in their area by constructing drainage channels in their village and removing the waste dumped in the irrigation tank in the hamlet.

Agriculturists from Kaalaankarai said the breach in the irrigation tank in their village caused by the downpour during the last northeast monsoon should be plugged by taking soil from the tank and farmers from Marudhur Melakkaal wanted the revenue officials to include the Azhuthaa Odai, which feeds water for irrigation to around 200 acres of land in their area, should be included in the revenue records besides desilting it.

Farmers from Karunkulam area appealed to the officials to take steps for removing the thorny bushes grown inside Rajankulam to provide shelter to the pigs that damage the standing crops along with peacock and deer. “Moreover, 2 pythons, which have been spotted in this area, are preying upon the goats and the sheep. Hence, the reptiles should be caught besides taking steps for checking the crop-raiding pigs, peacock and the deer,” the farmers said.

Chairing the meeting, Revenue Divisional Officer, Thoothukudi, M. Prabhu said steps would be taken immediately to desilt the Sirupaadu tank and remove the encroachments while the Kaalaankarai tank breaches would be plugged immediately. The Azhuthaa Odai would be surveyed and included in the revenue records.

“We’ll permit the Rajankulam farmers to take silt from the tank and then remove the thorny bushes and inform the forest personnel to catch the pythons in the area,” Mr. Prabhu assured.

In the farmers’ grievances redressal meet held at Tiruchendur, RDO Sugumaran presided over the meet while the farmers participated in the meeting held at Vilaathikulam appealed to the officials to take steps for giving crop insurance benefits for 2023 – 2024 and flood relief to the tune of Rs. 16 crore to the horticultural farmers and Rs. 59 crore to other crops raised in Kovilpatti revenue division.