DMK MPs have responsibility on agriculture issues: Ryots

Thanjavur: Farmers of Cauvery delta expect a change in the approach of BJP government at the centre, particularly from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, elected by people for the second term, with respect to environment issues that threaten the food security stratus of the delta.

While congratulating the prime minister for his second term, they say that BJP and Prime Minister should not forget that voting by farmers and people in Tamil Nadu in this Lok sabha election had a bearing on issues like hydrocarbon, methane, shalegas, eight lane express way, tower lines etc. "Keeping this in mind they (BJP) should act" a cross section of farmers told Deccan Chronicle on Saturday.

Expressing concern over giving permission for preparing environment impact report for hydrocarbon projects by union environment ministry, Sami Nadarajan of CPI(M) said that this is not proper when farmers are against the project.

"In the name of development BJP is trying to destroy cultivable lands and proposed hydrocarbon projects, eight lane expressway project from Salem to Chennai and Tower lines in western districts are examples for this. Almost all the parties have given the promise during elections that Cauvery delta will be protected as an agro zone and that they will not allow proposed hydrocarbon projects. They (political parties) should keep up their promise" he said.

P.R.Pandian, Co-coordinator of Thamizhaga Anaithu Vivasaya Sangangalin Orunginaippu Kuzhu,  said that voting in Tamil Nadu in the Lok Sabha election reflected the anti-BJP and its anti-farmers, anti-delta policies. "Prime Minister Modi should not forget this" he said.  

Their approach should become farmers friendly. Farmers in North have voted for BJP and that also he should not forget.  

“BJP government should do justice to Tamil Nadu in Cauvery, and Mullaiperiyar issues. They should not force hydrocarbon projects on people and take measures to waive farm loans. Centre should implement the M.S. Swaminathan report of the National Agriculture Commission, that recommended a price for agriculture produce as cost plus 50 per cent of cost price.

P. Maniarasan, coordinator of Cauvery Urimai Meetpu Kuzhu said, DMK MPs have a major role to play in highlighting the demands of farmers in Parliament and opposing projects that threaten food security status of Cauvery delta. "DMK should not stop by merely arguing in parliament, it should lead peaceful, democratic agitations also in the state to bring pressure on BJP government at the centre to protect Cauvery delta," Maniarasan said.

It may be recalled previous central government headed by Modi gave permission to Vedanta group of companies and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) to take hydrocarbon in delta, the area extending from Marakanam to Vedaranyam. People and farmers of the district have already been agitating against activities of ONGC at Kathiramangalam village near Kumbakonam for the past one year, laying of pipelines by GAIL in Sirkali and other areas and laying of pipelines by IOC in Budalur area of Thanjavur district and also against proposed hydrocarbon projects.

CPI(M) has already announced rally in Thanjavur on June 4 and human chain agitation subsequently against proposed hydrocarbon projects.