According to an official release here, the 5,36,352 farmers would be given a compensation of Rs 656.66 crore, for which, the Tamilnadu government released its share of Rs 306.48 crore as per the order of Chief Minister M Karunandhi.
The Chief Minister also ordered that the affected farmers be given the compensation during this month itself, after taking into account the Centre’s share of compensation, the release said.
Nisha cyclone struck November last year, damaging samba crops in all the delta districts. Reacting to reports in a section of the media, which gave an impression that the government has not sanctioned farm loans, the release said the government has fixed a farm loan target of Rs 185 crore to farmers in the delta district of Thanjavur alone, during this year.
Till 2 September, these farmers were given a loan of Rs 83.40 crore through Thanjavur and Kumbakonam Central Cooperative societies, the release added.
As for the request of some farmers, who wanted steady release of water from the Mettur dam to save the samba crop, the release said ‘turn-system’ was being adopted to ensure that all farmers got water.
No illegal breaching
Another release from the government dismissed as incorrect, reports in a section of the media that the Puzhal reservoir, catering to the drinking water needs of Chennai city, faced the danger of getting breached.
Reacting to the reports, the official release here said the water level at Puzhal lake stood at 13.32 ft against its full capacity of 21.20 ft and it was safe to store water to its full capacity. Every year, the banks of the lake are strengthened and during this year also, they would be strengthened at a cost of Rs 10.56 crore.
It said police had been asked to take action against those who engaged in illegal fishing in the lake. The Public Works Department officials were also keeping a watch, the release added.
