The AIADMK government was voted out because it was against farmers: Stalin
At the inauguration of a two-day agricultural exhibition organised by the Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops near the Vijayamangalam toll gate at Perundurai, he said the AIADMK had supported three controversial farm laws introduced by the Union government and betrayed farmers in every possible way. 'Such political weeds must be uprooted from the country,' he said.
Mr. Stalin said 128 'Uzhavar Sandhais' were closed when the AIADMK was in power. After the DMK assumed office, these markets were revived and 16 new ones were established to boost the incomes of farmers. 'Unlike the previous rulers, the Dravidian Model government will always protect your interests. Our 2.0 government will return after the next election,' he said.
He said the State government's schemes helped to produce a record 458 lakh metric tonnes of grain over four years, with productivity rising from 2,735 kg a hectare in 2020-21 to 2,871 kg a hectare in 2024-25. He attributed this growth to the State's first-ever dedicated agriculture budget.
Mr. Stalin said ₹62,352 crore had been disbursed in crop loans and free electricity connections had been given to 1.87 lakh farmers so far, against the target of 2 lakh. 'We have spent ₹26,523 crore on free electricity supply alone,' he said. Without naming anyone, he added, 'We're not fake farmers who wear towels on their shoulders; we are the first to stand in solidarity with farmers.' The State, he said, gave away ₹1,630 crore in compensation for crop damage and ₹5,720 crore to 32 lakh farmers under the crop insurance scheme in the past four years.
He also listed the key projects implemented in Erode: the Turmeric Research Station, the renovation of the Lower Bhavani Project Canal, the construction of eight check-dams across the Bhavani, and the implementation of the Athikadavu-Avinashi Project.
Mr. Stalin inaugurated 16 projects completed at a cost of ₹15.70 crore, laid the foundation for 11 projects costing ₹159.53 crore, and distributed ₹25.41 crore in welfare assistance to 4,524 beneficiaries.
Ministers E.V. Velu, M.R.K. Panneerselvam, S. Muthusamy, M.P. Saminathan, and N. Kayalvizhi Selvaraj; MPs and MLAs; Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara; and officials were present.
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