Farmers Urge TN Government To Buy Sugarcane Directly From Them For Pongal Gift Kits

Farmers in Tamil Nadu requested the state government on Friday to procure sugarcanes directly from them for Pongal gift kits. 

Farmers requested the State government to purchase sugarcane directly from them or through Uzhavar Mandrams & farmer producer companies at the monthly agriculture grievances redress meeting held in Salem. Government marketing agencies could be engaged for the purpose. According to the orders received this year, the farmers will be able to plant sugar canes in the coming years. 

Farmers also asked that vegetables be purchased directly from them for government-run hostels. 

They also requested the district administration to take the necessary steps to eliminate encroachments in the district's water bodies. The meeting was attended by Shoumita Biswas, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture. 

Farmers' grievances were heard by District Collector V.Jayachandra Banu Reddy in Krishnagiri, who received 180 petitions. Dr. Reddy stated that measures were being taken to remove encroachments in the district's water bodies. 

On Tuesday, December 21st, Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy stated that the government had begun preparations to distribute Pongal presents instead of deposit money to beneficiaries' accounts. 

Before the upcoming Thai Pongal in 2022, Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered the delivery of the following 20 items to family cardholders and families residing in Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camps. The distribution date for this Pongal gift has also been announced. 

The Pongal prize, announced by the Tamil Nadu government, will be given from January 3, 2022 onwards. This package includes Pongal ingredients and these are as follows: 

• Rice, Jaggery, Cashew, Raisin, Cardamom, Moong Daal, Ghee, Turmeric Powder,  ChiliPowder,  Coriander Powder,  Mustard, Cumin Pepper Tamarind, Lentils,  Semolina,  Black Gram, Salt, Wheat & Sugarcane. 

At a cost of Rs.1088 crore, a total of 20 items would be distributed to 2,15,48,060 households. 

As a next step, the government is to purchase ghee. The DMK Dairy Minister SM Nasser told reporters that this has paved the way for a large amount of revenue for the co-operatives.