Collector Durgamoorthi hears farmers’ grievances at the Collectorate in Dindigul on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: G, KARTHIKEYAN
With waterbodies drying up and agricultural activities being affected as a result, farmers of Dindigul on Thursday demanded that the district be declared as drought-hit.They raised the demand at the farmers grievance redress meeting held at the Collectorate here. The meeting was presided over by Collector Durgamoorthi.The farmers complained that due to drought, waterbodies across the district had dried up. There was no water for agricultural activities, which had been severely affected across the district. Therefore, the district should be declared drought-hit, they said.Since the farmers had suffered huge losses due to drought, the crop loans should be waived, they added.They also highlighted the drinking water crisis in the district. The Collector said priority would be given to drinking water supply and new borewells would be sunk to meet the drinking water needs.The farmers also said encroachments on irrigation canals should be removed and the waterbodies need to be desilted. The Collector said an inspection would be carried out and appropriate action taken.Responding to complaints about wild animals damaging crops, particularly in Sirumalai, officials said the issue would be looked into and action would be taken.The farmers also urged the authorities to take steps to prevent hoarding and sale of fertilizers. The authorities said a committee would be formed and appropriate action would be taken.The farmers urged the authorities to take action against the stone quarrying operations.
