Farmers Movement Archive

Rs 170cr allocated to restore Noyyal: Minister

Coimbatore: Even as the farmers agitation in New Delhi echoed in the form of sporadic protests in Tamil Nadu, the ruling AIADMK and ally BJP continued their efforts to woo the farming community. Addressing the farmers at a meeting to review works to restore river Noyyal in Coimbatore on Sunday, state local administration minister S P Velumani said that Tamil Nadu had made the highest allocation for agriculture in the state budget in the country this year. “Rs 11,894 crore was allocated for agriculture in budget 2020 – 21,’’ he said, adding that the state also bagged the Skoch award for best practices in agriculture. Velumani said that the state was witnessing a second green revolution with expansion of agricultural land, improvisation of farming techniques, disbursement of farm loans and subsidies for equipment and ensuring better quality seeds. “Since he is a farmer, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is implementing schemes aimed at welfare of farmers,’’ Velumani said. River Noyyal, which was the lifeline of farmers in Coimbatore in the past, was ruined over the years, Velumani noted adding that the AIADMK government has come up with a Rs 230 crore scheme for restoration of the river. “Out of total allocation, Rs 170 crore would be spent in restoring the river in Coimbatore district,” he said. Once the restoration is done, one lakh acres of land in Kinathukdavu, Singanallur, Thondamuthur and Sulur will benefit, he said. Besides, groundwater will grow in several other parts of the district, he said. Out of 23 check dams across Noyyal, 18 are being restored under the project while five have already been restored under other schemes. Meanwhile, BJP cadres conducted a campaign titled ‘Farmers friend Modi’ across the district to explain the salient features of the three new farm laws introduced by the Centre. The campaign was led by president of the wing Selvakumar and the district general secretary, Anand in Aliyar. Pamphlets containing the highlights of the three Farmers Acts and the schemes launched by Narendra Modi were distributed to the farmers and the public.

The Times of India

2020-12-14

Coimbatore