Tamil Nadu: Opposition parties not satisfied with CM's drought relief

Chennai: Political parties expressed dissatisfaction over the drought relief announced by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami and demanded increase in compensation, besides relief to all affected farmers without applying the land ceiling criteria.

MDMK general secretary Vaiko wanted drought relief for all the affected farmers instead of those with land below five acres. He said those farmers with more than five acres had also been severely hit as the crops had withered without water for irrigation. He also pointed out that the farmers with more than five acres did not get waiver of crop loans too.

Demanding the raising of compensation, PMK youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss said the expenses for cultivation of paddy in an acres is Rs33,475 as per a study done by Coimbatore Agriculture University, but the compensation is just Rs 5,465 per acre.

A compensation of Rs 25,000 to Rs30,000 should be given, he said and pointed out that former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa had announced Rs 15,000 per acre in 2013 as drought relief. He also wanted drought relief for the agricultural farmers who did not own lands since they are also severely affected by unemployment. He said crop loans should be fully waived and a solatium of '25 lakh for the families of farmers who committed suicide.

Coming out with a similar plea, CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan said the amount of compensation should be Rs30,000 per acre for farmers and Rs25,000 for agricultural labourers. Besides, over 200 farmers had committed suicide, but compensation was given only to 17 families, he said. The state should clarify about insurance amount that would be given to affected farmers. More than 1 crore labourers are unemployed due to the drought and their plight had not been considered, he complained. Since, the drought relief is an eyewash, there is no option but to exert pressure through untied protests, he said.