Demand for farming up after floods: Sunil Kumar

THRISSUR: The people who were dead against resuming paddy cultivation and retaining paddy fields have now started approaching officials of agriculture department with the demand to retain water channels on reclaimed paddy fields after floodwater entered their house during the deluge last year and the flash flood this year, agriculture minister V.S. Sunil Kumar has said.

The minister was sharing his views on the rampant illegal reclamation of Kizhakkumpattukara division in Thrissur corporation limits where a paddy field called Kainoor Kayal, spread over 100 acres, is being reclaimed illegally after the floods earlier this month.

"I have received complaints from the residents in Kizhakkumpattukara and action has been taken to stop further illegal reclamation. I will soon visit the place as well," he said.

The minister said he had been constantly in touch with people in and around this place to start paddy farming which was stopped more than three decades ago.

"Our officers faced even cases and stiff opposition from the local residents for reinstating the cultivable paddy lands near these areas as local people feared the land value will go down with paddy farming. Now, the same people have been asking the officials for reinstating of water channels with two straight years of flooding. Hopefully, we can solve the issue and execute our plans as those opposing our schemes seem to have realised their mistakes," the minister added.

It is understood that the village officer concerned who had issued stop memos against illegal reclamation and pointed the fingers at the councillors and Thrissur Corporation for the ordeal due to floods has been facing threats from the mafia gangs.

“Why is the corporation giving permits for the constructions for which the VO has given stop memos?" the officer asked.