Chennai: The prevailing drought condition in the state and farmers' suicide episodes, as well, echoed in the Assembly on Friday prompting Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam to assure a relief package once the government receives comprehensive reports from the district collectors.
Speaking on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address to the Assembly on Friday, DMK legislator Durai Chandrasekharan said though the official figures on farmers' suicide due to the prevailing drought has been estimated to be 17, at least 244 farmers have died till January 26.
Intervening, Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said his government had already announced Rs 3 lakh each as solatium to the kin of farmers who had committed suicide. Upon receiving the report of collectors, the relief for the farmers’ families, as well as for drought, will be announced.
DMK leader M. K. Stalin demanded that the government dispatch its ministers immediately to console the bereaved families of ryots.
Denying the allegation, handlooms and textiles minister O. S. Manian said the ministers and AIADMK leaders too had visited the families of 17 farmers who had committed suicide and consoled them. “We have also distributed relief and expenses to perform the last rites.
The DMK leader Stalin has visited only ten families. Shall we construe that only 10 farmers had committed suicide?” he asked. “We will provide the relief to all the affected families on behalf of the DMK, if the government accepts its inability to provide compensation to farmers,” Mr Stalin jibed. However, Mr Panneerselvam's reply brought the issue to an end.
