More than 12,000 bags of paddy were rendered unusable on Wednesday due to unexpected summer rains in Gingee, Villupuram. In response, S. Ramadoss, the founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), has urged the government to bolster the storage capacity of regulatory markets across the state.Expressing concern over the loss incurred by farmers, Ramadoss highlighted the failure of authorities to safeguard the paddy bags during the downpour. While officials assert that only 4,500 bags were damaged, Ramadoss contested this figure, emphasizing that proper storage could have prevented further losses. Allegations were also raised against the preferential treatment given to bags purchased by traders, as opposed to those brought in by farmers.
“The regulatory markets, intended to safeguard farmers’ produce, have been compromised by traders’ influence,” Ramadoss stated, urging a thorough investigation into encroachments within these markets. He called for stringent action against officials found guilty of neglect or misconduct.
Furthermore, Ramadoss advocated for an expansion of the storage capacity at direct procurement centers across the state, proposing an increase to accommodate up to 10,000 paddy bags simultaneously. Additionally, he emphasized the need for expedited transportation of procured paddy to mills, advocating for swift processing to mitigate further losses.