30-05-2025
Farmer leader slams TN govt's farm scheme as eyewash, warns of protest
Madurai: Tamil Nadu All Farmers' Associations Coordination Committee president P R Pandian on Thursday criticised the state government's Uzhavarai Thedi scheme as an eyewash and condemned the entry of private players in paddy procurement.
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Speaking to reporters in Madurai, Pandian said the scheme, introduced to address farmers' grievances, had failed in implementation—particularly in Thiruvarur district, where just one assistant director in the agriculture department is assigned to 10 blocks. "Such vacancies exist across the state. This scheme is disappointing and lacks intent," he said.
He accused the state government of favouring corporate interests over those of farmers.
Citing the Tamil Nadu Land Consolidation (Special Projects) Act, 2023, Pandian alleged that private corporations were taking control of agricultural land and water bodies. "This is corporate slavery. Farmers who refuse to give up their land are facing police action," he charged.
The committee has threatened a black flag protest against state Food and Civil Supplies Minister R Sakkarapani if pending payments to paddy farmers are not cleared immediately. "Direct procurement was handled by governments for decades, but now a private player has entered the system, and corruption is rampant. Payments have been delayed for three months," Pandian said, demanding cancellation of the private firm's permit.
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