Farmers Movement Archive

Agents, not farmers behind Delhi protests: Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami

TRICHY: Those protesting against the new farm laws in Delhi are not farmers but agents who will be affected by these three laws, said chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami at Karur on Wednesday. Reiterating that these farm laws will not affect farmers in Tamil Nadu, he said agriculture produce in northern states can be sold only through agents. Parties opposing the farm laws in Tamil Nadu are orchestrating a political drama to gain votes in the assembly elections, he said while talking to reporters. On the opposition criticism of not being able to prevent NEET in Tamil Nadu, the CM said it was Congress which introduced NEET while DMK in alliance at the Centre remained silent due to the greed to remain in power. “We tried to prevent but could not succeed. We then introduced 7.5% horizontal reservation to benefit 41% students in government schools who were denied opportunity,” he said. The CM said that 313 students were given medical seats this year through the reservation and 125-130 more seats will be added next year with the beginning of 11 new medical colleges. Asked if jallikattu will be allowed next month amidst the pandemic, the CM said that Covid-19 cases are coming down but people are refusing to wear masks. Travelling in an open jeep after entering Karur town, he saw many people not wearing masks. Saying that Covid-19 can be prevented to a large extent by wearing mask, he said vaccine will be given free of cost to people in the state as soon as it comes to the country. On scrapping free power to farmers, he said such false information is being spread by the opposition as elections are nearing. The AIADMK government will not take any anti-farmer step. He said the coalition formed by AIADMK during general election is intact for assembly election. On the bottleneck in setting up a new bus stand in Karur, he said a case is pending in court and steps will be taken to build the bus stand soon. The CM laid foundation stone for 2,038 developmental schemes worth Rs 627 crore in the district. He inaugurated 28 schemes that were completed at a cost of Rs 118.53 crore besides distributing beneficial schemes worth Rs 35 crore across various departments to the beneficiaries. The CM also conducted meetings with representatives of micro, small and medium enterprises, farmers associations and women self-help groups.

The Times of India

2020-12-17

Trichy