Chennai, Sept 10:
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has accused the TVK government of failing farmers in paddy procurement and alleged that poor administration and inexperience were affecting governance in Tamil Nadu.
In a statement, Palaniswami alleged that the government had failed to release Cauvery water on time for kuruvai cultivation, resulting in farmers being unable to take up cultivation as planned. He also accused the government of failing to fulfil its promise of a complete waiver of farm loans.
Palaniswami further alleged that despite the government promising to restore law and order, incidents of crime continued to increase. He said the administration’s lack of experience had affected the functioning of the government.
He pointed out that he had raised the issue of delays in paddy procurement during the previous Assembly session, but alleged that the government had failed to take appropriate action.
According to Palaniswami, thousands of paddy bags brought to procurement centres in Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts, besides Cuddalore and Erode, were yet to be procured. He alleged that the paddy had been damaged by rain while farmers waited for procurement.
Palaniswami urged the government to immediately procure the entire stock lying at the centres and take steps to prevent further losses to farmers.