Farmers seek restoration of government declared farmlands in Srivaikuntam and Sathankulam taluks

Members of vivasaigal sangam stage a demonstration at Thoothukudi Collectorate on Monday.
| Photo Credit:
N. RAJESH

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Members of Tamil Nadu Farmers Association affiliated with CPI(M) along with several other farmers from Srivaikuntam and Sathankulam taluks submitted petition at the Thoothukuci district collectorate on Monday, seeking the restoration of government declared farmlands to their original owners from five villages of Srivaikuntam and Sathankulam taluks of the district.

According to the petition, properties registered in the name of a private company were confiscated by the government following a disproportionate assets case and subsequently converted into government property. However, in the conversion land belonging to hundreds of farmers from villages in Meerankulam, Meerankulam 2, Cherankulam, Vallakulam and Kalvai were also classified as government land, as the lands were reportedly located near a confiscated properties.

Puviraj, district secretary, All Indian Farmers Association said that around 300 acres of land belonging to around 170 villagers were reportedly classified as government land, though they have all related documents for the property

The farmers stated that this has caused shock and distress, as they possess valid land ownership documents. They urged the authorities to conduct proper enquiry and restore the ownership of lands to the respective farmers.

In a petition submitted by Ramkumar, district secretary of SFI and other office bearers, it was alleged that several private schools in Thoothukudi district are collecting fees two or three times higher than the rates prescribed by the government.

The petition further stated that many schools have failed to display fee details on their notice boards as instructed by the minister. They urged the district collector to constitute an inspection committee and take strict action against schools charging excessive fees.

The petitions were submitted at the weekly grievance redressal meeting chaired by Thoothukudi district collector Vishu Mahajan.