Farmers expressed concern over the low storage in the Mettur dam ahead of the customary June 12 release of water for delta irrigation at the monthly farmers’ grievances meeting in Tiruchi on Friday. They urged the State government to take a firm stand against the proposed Mekedatu dam project in Karnataka.

Ayalai Siva Suriyan of the CPI-affiliated Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam urged the State government to immediately approach the Constitution Bench against the Supreme Court order permitting preparation of a detailed project report for the Mekedatu project. Recalling the court’s 2018 final verdict directing Karnataka to release 177.25 tmcft. of water to Tamil Nadu, he alleged that Karnataka had repeatedly violated tribunal and court orders by expanding irrigation through projects across Cauvery tributaries. He warned that the Mekedatu project would severely affect Tamil Nadu’s water share and delta farmers.

Mr. Siva Suriyan criticised the State government’s crop loan waiver announcement as inadequate and urged it to fulfil Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s election promise by completely waiving loans of small and marginal farmers and granting a 50% waiver for large farmers without discrimination.

Stable supply

Kaundampatti R. Subramaniam of the Cauvery Delta Pasana Vivasayigal Sangam expressed concern over the low storage level in the Mettur dam ahead of the customary June 12 opening of water for kuruvai cultivation. Stating that delta irrigation required around 1.5 tmcft of water a day, he said the existing storage could last only 15 days if inflow did not improve. He urged the government and the Water Resources Department to ensure uninterrupted release of water through major canals originating above the Grand Anicut for irrigation in Tiruchi, Ariyalur, Thanjavur and other delta districts.

P. Ayyakkannu of the Desiya Thenninthiya Nathigal Inaippu Vivasayigal Sangam alleged that bribes were collected from farmers at direct procurement centres while procuring paddy. He urged the State government to take a strong stand against the Mekedatu project.

Meanwhile, P. Vishwanathan of the Tamil Nadu Lake and River Irrigation Farmers Association, along with other farmers, staged a demonstration in front of the Collectorate condemning the State government’s recent crop loan waiver announcement. He alleged that the waiver was only partial and said a complete waiver alone would help farmers, who depend entirely on loans for agriculture.

District Collector V. Saravanan said the grievances raised by farmers on the Mettur and Mekedatu issues would be conveyed to the government.