Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Drop move to abolish free power, say farmers

By Our Staff Reporter

VELLORE Feb.16. The Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, affiliated to the CPI (M), has decided to hold agitations in 5000 villages on March 1 to press for various demands, including withdrawing the move to abolish free power supply to agriculturists.

A resolution to this effect was passed at the inaugural function of the 3-day 25th silver jubilee State conference of the association, which began here on Saturday.

The conference urged the Government to undertake relief measures on a war footing and provide 30 kg of rice free of cost through the public distribution system, besides a monthly relief of Rs.750 to the affected agricultural labourers and poor farmers.

It also demanded payment of relief to families of the deceased farmers and introduction of the food-for-work scheme in the State.

Besides demanding waiver of all crop loans, interest and penal interest, the association sought a compensation of Rs.5000 per acre for the paddy crop, which withered due to drought, and Rs. 3000 per acre for an uncultivated land owing to non-availability of water.

Urging the Government to give up the move to allot nearly 50 lakh acres of wasteland to corporate houses, it wanted the Government to grant pattas for the wasteland and forest land to farmers.

N. Sankariah, a member of the CPI (M) central committee who inaugurated the conference, said the Government decision to give 30 kg of rice through PDS to landless agricultural labourers and small and tiny farmers was in response to the persistent demand of the Left parties.

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