Farmers urge formation of committee to repair Shenbhagavalli check-dam breach

Farmers urged that a joint inspection committee comprising officials from the Revenue department, Public Works department and Forest department should be set up to work along with Shenbhagavalli check-dam restoration committee and inspect the dam breach to initiate repair works.

The demand was raised at the farmers’ grievance redressal meeting held at the Tenkasi district collectorate on Friday, chaired by District Revenue Officer S. Jayachandran.

They pointed out that those in Tenkasi, Virudhunagar and Tirunelveli districts have long been benefitted from Shenbagavalli check-dam near Vasudevanallur. However the breach in the dam remains unrepaired.

During the meeting the farmers raised several demands and concerns including procurement of paddy should be expedited with at least 1,000 bags purchased daily at each procurement centre, immediate transportation of procured paddy to godowns, permanent paddy procurement centres with proper infrastructure facilities.

They also sought increase in moisture content limit for procured paddy from 17% to 22%, measures to control crop damage by wild animals and desilting of ponds and tanks in the district.

The farmers also stated that there has been no official announcement from the Chief Minister regarding the implementation of Irattai Kulam canal project, nor any fund allocation to address wild animal menace. They insisted that these issues be brought to the Chief Minister’s attention.

Officials assured the farmers that appropriate action would be taken on their grievances.

During the meeting, 180 petitions were received from farmers regarding various issues. Mr. Jayachandran has instructed the officials to take appropriate action on these petitions.

District Forest Officer R. Rajmohan, Joint Director (Agriculture) Amala and other officials were present.