Chennai, May 30:
Farmers in Ariyalur boycotted the grievance redressal meeting on Friday, voicing strong opposition to the State government’s crop loan waiver announcement and raising concerns over the proposed Mekedatu Dam project.
The grievance meetings, held across districts including Tiruchy and Ariyalur under the chairmanship of respective District Collectors, witnessed discontent among farmers over what they termed as “unfulfilled promises” and “policy discrimination.”
In Tiruchy, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam District Secretary Ayilai Sivasuriyan criticised the government, stating that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had assured a crop loan waiver without any ceiling during the election campaign. However, the present scheme, with its restrictions, has left farmers disappointed, he said.
Echoing similar concerns, farmer leader KC Palanisamy pointed out that previous governments led by AIADMK and DMK had implemented unconditional crop loan waivers. He alleged that the current administration had failed to honour its poll commitments, triggering resentment among the farming community.
Meanwhile, in Ariyalur, farmers led by Cauvery Delta Irrigation Farmers Association State president Thanga Dharmaraj staged a walkout from the meeting. The protesting farmers later gathered within the Collectorate premises, raising slogans against the government’s announcement and demanding a revised waiver scheme in line with earlier assurances.
The protesters also expressed apprehension over the Mekedatu Dam project proposed by the Karnataka government, stating that it could adversely impact water availability in the Cauvery delta region.
The boycott and protests underscore growing unrest among farmers, who are demanding immediate policy corrections and greater clarity from the State government on both loan waivers and inter-state water issues.