Tiruchy: Most representatives of the various farmers associations urged the district administration to ensure water in Cauvery and its branch canals to save the standing annual crops like banana plantations, sugarcane etc. at the monthly agriculturalists grievances day at Tiruchy on Thursday.
P. Ayyakannu, State president of the Desiya Then India Nathigal Inaippu Vivasayeegal Sangam and Ayilai Sivasuriyan, secretary of the Tiruchy district unit of the CPI-affiliated Tamil Nadu Agriculturalists association, pointed out that till recently, even meagre release of 3,000 cusecs of water for summer irrigation from the Mettur reservoir used to reach Tiruchy and its neighboring districts.
However, now-a-days, the water released from Mettur reservoir was being pumped out for drip irrigation by farmers of Salem, Namakkal districts, which was more than the permitted quantity. Hence, they wanted that the Government should ensure that Cauvery waters reached Tiruchy and its nearby districts, to save the standing annual crops.
R. Rajachidambaram, state secretary of the Tamilaga Vivasayeegal Sangam said, the government, instead of clearing the ordinary waiting list of electricity connections for agriculture pump-sets, was encouraging the Tatkal scheme which was more expensive for farmers. He said government should clear all the 25,000 on the waiting list in a phased manner besides to simplify the power connection procedure for the agriculture pump-sets.
Mr.S. Sivarasu, district collector, who presided over the meeting assured that he will take up the issues with the State government for suitable remedy.
