Latest news with #P.Velusamy
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Abundant storage in Thirumoorthy Dam raises hopes among farmers for water adequacy in tail-end areas of PAP Main Canal
: The early onset of Southwest monsoon this year that has resulted in impressive storage in Thirumoorthy Dam has infused hope among farmers in the tail-end areas of the PAP (Parambikulam Aliyar Project) Main Canal fed by the dam that there will be a change in the 'artificial drought conditions' caused hitherto by inadequate realisation of water in the canal. At a recent meeting to discuss the issue, the farmers arrived at a decision to stage prolonged protests if the Water Resource Department fails to channel water to a height of 4.8 feet (from the existing 4.5 feet) at the zero point of Vellakovil branch canal. Out of 2300 mcft (million cubic feet) drawn from the dam for supply through PAP main canal, the water distribution for Vellakoil branch should be one-eighth. Even if 20% of water transmission loss is factored in, the realisation has to be not less than 230 mcft at the zero point. 'But, the water realisation is only 170 mcft. This is not sufficient. At some locations in tail-end areas, water flow does not last even for two days. There is severe shortage of water for livestock, drinking purpose and irrigation,' P. Velusamy, president of PAP Vellakoil Branch Canal Water Conservation Movement said. The farmers hope the Water Resources Department will deploy better water management methods this time around with abundant water in the Thirumoorthy Dam. Against the full depth of 60 feet, the level in the dam rose up to 53.92 ft on Wednesday. The storage was 1483 mcft against capacity of 1744. Against inflow of 252 cusecs, discharge of 1160 cusecs was maintained. At the same day last year, the level was 31.1 feet and storage was 680 mcft. Also, the usable storage of the system dams of Parambikulam Aliyar Project was estimated at 7269.92 mcft by the Water Resources Department, on Wednesday. Official sources said the State Government has been promised funds by the Union Ministry of Jal Sakthi under Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP). Phase II and III, co-financed by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank. Thirumoorthy Dam figures among 145 out of 736 dams proposed in the two phases that are more than 60 years old.
The Hindu
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Farmers await Government Order on compensation for livestock lost due to attack by street dogs
Farmers in Tiruppur-Erode belt are waiting to know the modalities for payment of compensation by the government for loss of livestock and poultry birds due to attack by wandering dogs. Taking cognisance of the spate of protests by farmers, the State government consented to compensate farmers at the rate of ₹6,000 per goat or sheep, and ₹200 per chicken. The officials at the local level reportedly claim that the Government Order to that effect was awaited. In a petition submitted last week under Right to Information Act, P. Velusamy of Bagavathypalayam in Kangayam block, who was among the farmer leaders who led the protests, urged the Public Information Officer, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Department to share a copy of the G.O. or any equivalent official communication issued by the State government regarding the compensation to the affected farmers. There was widespread concern as street dogs had turned rabid, he said. The Central government had pointed out to the State governments that the responsibility of implementing Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 (in supersession of the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001) vested with local bodies. The data of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which was responsible for the human health component related to dog bits and human rabies, indicated that Tamil Nadu ranked third at the national level in dog bite cases so far during 2025 with 48,931 cases reported, after Maharashtra (56,538) and Gujarat (53,942). The stand of the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is that intensive implementation of the Animal Birth Control programme by local bodies was the only rational and scientific solution to the overpopulation of the street dogs and controlling incidence of Rabies.. Animal Welfare Board of India provided the Animal Birth Control Project Recognition to recognised Animal Welfare Organisations to carry out the sterilisation and immunisation programme. However, the Central government had acknowledged that it had not conducted a formal assessment of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme's effectiveness in controlling the stray dog population.
