Nine months have passed, farmers are yet to get relief from rain: Anbuman

Chennai: PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss condemned the state government for failing to provide relief to farmers who lost their crops during the heavy rains in November 2024 and January this year. Anbumani said that paddy crops on more than 1.5 lakh acres of land in Mayiladuthurai district were destroyed by the heavy rains. He said, “It is condemnable that the government is refusing to provide relief. Leaders of farmers’ unions have told me that the government has not yet provided relief, which is shocking. Refusing relief for nine months is inhumane.” He said that officials who inspected the damage have recommended the state government provide relief funds of ₹71.79 crore to the affected farmers. He warned, “The DMK government should not play with the lives of farmers. The government should provide ₹30,000 per acre to the affected farmers. If the government refuses to provide relief, the PMK will protest.” Speaking during his statewide rally in Mayiladuthurai district on Friday, Anbumani alleged that the state government was refusing to build a check dam on the Kollidam River to encourage river sand theft. He further said, “About 50 TMC of water from Kollidam flows into the sea every year. I met Chief Minister MK Stalin and requested him to build a check dam. Based on the request, he ordered officials to take action and IIT experts conducted a survey. They submitted projects worth Rs 750 crore. After that, the project never started.”