Members of Kodayar Irrigation Committee submitted a petition at the district collectorate on Monday, demanding compensation for the farmers affected by delayed release of water from Ananthanar canal.
The petition stated that it has been a long tradition to release water from the Kodayar irrigation dams including Pechiparai dam starting from June 1 every year. Accordingly, transplanting of paddy seedlings usually begins in the second week of May. Based on that, farmers commenced agricultural activities this year across all irrigation canals, including the Ananthanar canal.
However, citing the restoration works near Ullimalai brook, a steam section of the canal officials repeatedly postponed the water release date. As a result, water reached the fields in the tail end of the district only 45 after the water was released from the dam. Due to this delay, many paddy fields withered and in some areas newly transplanted seedlings were wilted.
A. Wins Anto, Chairman, Kodayar Irrigation Committee said that during the farmers’ grievance redressal meeting, they also staged a walkout, demanding compensation. However on the same day the Joint Director (Incharge) of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Nagercoil, released a statement that no damage has been caused to farmers and paddy fields due to the delay.
The members urged the district administration to provide compensation for the affected farmers and take action against the officials of the agriculture department for misleading information.
Speaking to The Hindu, an official from the agriculture department clarified that the extent of crop damage climbed by farmers was inaccurate. He stated that 4,500 hectares were under cultivation across the entire district at that time and around 247 hectares were from Thovalai and Rajakkamangalam blocks. He further added that no lands were completely affected as the region received intermittent rainfall. Compensation for the farmers can only be announced after assessing the yield and only if any abnormalities are found, noted the official.
Published – July 28, 2025 09:32 pm IST
