Chennai, Oct 23 (PTI) The Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Association on Friday urged the state government to expedite drought relief payments for damaged Kuruvai crops and ensure the amount reaches farmers before Diwali.
It also sought a policy decision to protect tenant farmers cultivating temple lands.
Kuruvai is the short-term paddy cultivation season in Tamil Nadu, typically running from June to September.
Addressing reporters, association secretary P R Pandian highlighted the agrarian distress in the Cauvery delta.
“Almost 10 lakh acres of agricultural land in the Cauvery delta were parched without water. Following the onset of the Northeast monsoon, the crops that did germinate are now submerged,” Pandian said.
Noting that the government had issued an order identifying drought-affected villages for compensation to insured Kuruvai farmers, Pandian urged it to disburse the relief amount without delay.
“The amount must be credited to farmers’ bank accounts four to five days before Diwali,” he said.
Pandian also highlighted the difficulties faced by farmers cultivating lands belonging to trusts and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department.
He said these farmers had suffered heavy losses during the 2013-2018 droughts but faced eviction proceedings in revenue courts instead of receiving waivers of lease arrears, despite being protected under state lease laws.
The situation worsened following a 2022 Madras High Court case concerning temple properties, he said.
“Under the guise of identifying encroachers, the lands cultivated by tenant farmers were uploaded on the internet under the encroachers’ list,” Pandian said.
As a result, these farmers were effectively unable to insure their crops, secure bank loans, sell their paddy or purchase fertilisers, he added.
“The Tamil Nadu government must take a policy decision. The lease registrations of these farmers must be renewed to safeguard their rights,” Pandian said.
He added that association representatives had recently met HR&CE Minister S Ramesh to discuss the issues.
Diwali falls on November 8 this year. PTI JR SSK
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