Farmers Demand Action on Irrigation Canal Pollution & DPC Irregularities

Some of the serious complaints raised by farmers at the farmers’ grievance meeting held at the Madurai Collectorate on Friday were sewage mixing into irrigation canals, irregularities in direct purchase centres, and encroachment on waterbodies.

Collector S. Aneesh Sekhar chaired the meeting. From Thenur, a farmer said that there were irregularities in the operation of the DPCs. He complained that influential people were engaged in the irregularities. He said relevant action should be taken against them.

He said that the farmers were made to pay excess fees. Also, he showed a video clip to the Collector as proof of the irregularities. The farmer said that he was also facing threats. Aneesh Sekhar said that he would look into the matter.

Alanganallur farmers claimed that sewage was contaminating the irrigation canal. It was polluting the water, so the proper steps need to be taken to stop this. Despite the repeated complaints, they claimed that nothing was done.

It was a serious problem that required immediate attention, according to the Collector. He gave the authorities to go-ahead and swiftly address the problems by taking the necessary actions. He requested that the government should make sure the sewage is treated.

Other concerns included the need to strengthen the bunds and remove Prosopis juliflora (Seemai Karuvelam) trees from waterbodies. Encroachments along the road margins close to the Melur bus stops have also drawn criticism. The local farmers' group in Kalligudi taluk requested an Uzhavar Sandhai.

M Sangili Pandi, an engineering graduate who has taken up organic farming explained the usage of modern technology in agriculture. He spoke on the use of drones in agriculture. Farmers said that on organic farming more awareness campaigns should be held.