Even as compensation amount for the farmers who have given lands for Nallathangal odai dam in Dharapuram have not reached them, the farmers have announced that they would stage a massive picketing protest in front RDO office on March 1.
Tirupur: Even though the court has ordered to pay compensation to the farmers who gave away their cultivable lands for Nallathangal odai reservoir near Dharapuram in Tirupur district, the compensation has not reached them.
Condemning against this the affected farmers have decided to stage a massive protest in their state executive council meet held at a marriage hall.
Uzhavar Uzhaipalar katchi District President, Alangiyam Easwaramurthi. State treasurer Balasubramaniyam, State secretary Easwaran, Erode district president Magudeeswaran and others took part in the meeting.
Uzhavar Uzhaipalar katchi State president Chellamuthu while speaking to reporters said “Back in 2002, farmers had given 750 acres of land to Dharapuram Nallathangal dam in Ponnivadi village of Dharapuram taluk. An appeal was filed in the Dharapuram Civil Court stating that the compensation amount given by the government was not enough. The court hearing the case said that rain-fed lands should be given a compensation of Rs 70,000, and irrigated lands one lakh with 15 per cent interest should be paid as compensation.
However, the compensation amount of Rs 40 crore has not yet been paid to the farmers as yet.
“The massive protest would be staged in front of RDO office, if the compensation has not reached the farmers, latest by February 28” State President Chellamuthu said.
Further adding he said, “Moreover, due to shortage of manpower, farmers have shifted to coconut cultivation in large numbers. At present, there is a sharp fall in the price and coconut is being sold at Rs 8 per coconut. Even if the government procures coconut copra, not all the farmers will be able to produce copra.
Therefore, the government should procure full coconut from the farmers. At present, the central government procures copra through TANFED at Rs 105.90 per kg.
“In Tirupur district, copra is procured in the procurement centers at Udumalai, Peddappampatti, Pongalur and Kangeyam. These procurement centres are located at a distance of 40 km from Dharapuram”.
“Therefore, several resolutions were passed, including that the government should take steps to procure copra at the Alangiyam Procurement center” Chellamuthu said.