In a powerful statement issued on Thursday, BJP State President Nainar Nagenthran urged the Tamil Nadu government to take immediate and decisive action regarding paddy procurement and farmer compensation. He called upon the DMK administration to swiftly purchase paddy from farmers and offer adequate relief to those whose crops were severely damaged by the recent heavy rains and subsequent flooding.
Mr. Nagenthran expressed deep concern over the distressing reports of over 8,000 metric tonnes of paddy, harvested during the crucial Kuruvai season in the Cauvery delta districts, being completely ruined. This immense loss occurred due to the incessant rainfall.
He strongly condemned the DMK government’s perceived inaction, highlighting that ten days had passed since the harvest, yet the government had failed to initiate the paddy procurement process. “We have consistently pressed the DMK government to accelerate paddy procurement to safeguard the livelihoods of our farmers,” Mr. Nagenthran stated. “However, their negligent approach has not only led to the destruction of harvested paddy but also left more than 1,00,000 acres of standing crops, ready for harvest, submerged under floodwaters.”
The BJP leader implored Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to treat this matter with the utmost urgency. He demanded comprehensive measures to ensure the immediate procurement of available paddy and the prompt disbursement of a substantial compensation of ₹50,000 per acre to all farmers whose precious crops have been wiped out by the recent deluges.