Udhayanidhi seeks timeline for crop loan waiver, drought relief for Cauvery delta farmers

Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Friday urged the State government to specify how long it would take to implement its promise of a complete waiver of crop loans.

Participating in the discussion on a special calling attention motion on the Cauvery water dispute in the Assembly, he recalled the ruling Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam’s (TVK) election promise to waive crop loans in full.

“It is one of the key demands of the farmers who are protesting across the State. The government should also provide relief to farmers who are likely to suffer losses due to the failure of the kuruvai crop. It should convene a meeting of farmers’ representatives from the Cauvery delta region,” he said.

Mr. Udhayanidhi said although the government had announced a special package of ₹134 crore, such packages had been routinely announced by successive governments in the past.

“Farmers are not demanding a drought relief package. You should know the difference between the two. Reading newspapers alone will not help. You should hold a meeting with farmers’ representatives and understand their demands,” he said, responding to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s remark that he should read newspapers to know what was happening.

He further urged the government to declare the Cauvery delta districts as drought-hit and announce a comprehensive relief package for affected farmers.