Palaniswami seeks compensation for rain-hit Delta farmers
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami has urged the Tamil Nadu government, led by the TVK, to provide immediate compensation of ₹30,000 per acre to farmers whose paddy crops were damaged by heavy rain and flooding in the Cauvery delta region, according to multiple news reports.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Palaniswami cited reports that standing crops on about 2,000 acres have been affected by the rains in Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and other districts in the region. He said the sudden downpour had disrupted the lives of farmers who had been expecting to harvest mature paddy crops.
"Water is the lifeline of agriculture, and rain is its primary source. However, the sudden downpour has completely disrupted the lives of farmers cultivating paddy across nearly 2,000 acres," he was quoted as saying.
Palaniswami, a former chief minister, said farmers were devastated after watching their harvest-ready crops collapse and become submerged. He maintained that it was the government's responsibility to provide immediate relief and protect farmers' livelihoods.
Criticism over water release and loan waivers
Palaniswami also criticised Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, who had earlier spoken of his desire to be born as a farmer in his next life. Palaniswami said the chief minister should first take steps to protect farmers suffering in the present.
He pointed out that water had not been released from the Mettur dam on June 12 for Kuruvai cultivation, forcing many farmers to borrow money and raise crops using groundwater. The unseasonal rain struck just as the fields were ready for harvest, leaving farmers in severe financial distress.
Additionally, Palaniswami recalled the ruling alliance's election promise to waive agricultural loans taken by farmers from cooperative banks. He alleged that after coming to power, the government had begun speaking of implementing the waiver gradually and in instalments, causing anger and disappointment among farmers.
Demand for officials to assess damage
The AIADMK leader demanded that the government immediately dispatch teams comprising officials from the Revenue and Agriculture departments to the rain-affected areas of Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and other delta districts to assess the extent of crop loss and ensure that no affected cultivator is excluded from relief measures.
He stressed that immediate financial assistance was essential, as many cultivators had invested borrowed money and were expecting to repay debts after harvest.