Tamil Nadu cauvery delta farmers association to discuss rising suicides issue

Mannargudi: The Tamilaga cauvery vivasayeegal sangam (Tamil Nadu cauvery delta farmers association) would organise a one-day farmers’ livelihood conference at Thanjavur on August 11, to highlight the plight of farmers across the state, particularly in the Cauvery delta region where suicides of farmers are increasing day after day.

They also intend to appeal to the central and state governments to prevent the suicides of farmers. The Sangam’s state general secretary, M.R. Pandiyan told newsmen soon after their state general council meeting held at Irulneekki village near Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district on Monday, that a resolution to this effect was adopted at the meeting.

He said that it was decided to invite all party leaders and representatives of various farmers’ associations of Tamil Nadu for the conference.

Mr Pandiyan said that the meeting urged the Union Government to give up its move to amend the land acquisition act, and also requested state government to close revenue courts as these courts took anti-farmers’ stands. He also demanded a special package for a one-time samba paddy crop this year, with the southwest monsoon rains weakening. Others who spoke at the meeting included the sangam’s Tiruvarur district secretary, T P K Rajendran, state president Punniyamoorthy, and Nagai Giridharan.