Farmers stage a walkout during the grievances day meeting held in Tirunelveli on Friday, protesting the absence of top officials for an hour.
| Photo Credit: SHAIKMOHIDEEN A
District Collector Anand Mohan has warned the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Limited (NCCF), the apex body of consumer cooperatives in India, of legal action if the paddy procurement arrears was not disbursed within a week.Raising the issue during the farmers’ grievances redress meeting held at the Collectorate on Friday, Ambasamudram Farmers’ Association president Arunachalam said the NCCF that procured paddy from the farmers five months ago and it had to disburse ₹90 crore to the agriculturists. When the disbursal got delayed, the farmers’ continued protests and the District Collector’s intervention forced the NCCF to pay ₹87 crore. However, a section of the agriculturists were waiting indefinitely to get the remaining ₹3 crore.“Since the NCCF is cheating the farmers, the Collector should take steps for registering case against the NCCF officials here,” said Mr. Arunachalam, which enjoyed vociferous welcome from other farmers.Mr. Anand Mohan said the sustained efforts taken by the district administration ensured the disbursal of ₹87 crore and efforts were on to get the remaining ₹3 crore from NCCF, he said.When the Collector asked the NCCF representative about the fate of remaining ₹3 crore, he replied that it would be settled within a week, a reply which was given in earlier meetings also.Even as this usual reply was being given, the agitated farmers shouted against him and urged the Collector to register case against him and the NCCF.“Since you have to understand the emotions of the farmers waiting for more than five months for getting their money from you, I asked you to attend this meeting today. If you fail to keep up your promise of disbursing the remaining ₹3 crore within a week, I’ll order the registration of case against the NCCF. I’ve already written to the government not to allow NCCF to procure paddy in Tirunelveli district in the future,” Mr. Anand Mohan said.As the Collector assured the farmers that the NCCF would never procure paddy in Tirunelveli district in future, the agriculturists welcomed the announcement with thunderous applause and thumping of the desk.When farmer Selvakumar informed the Collector that thorny bushes had grown abundantly inside the Tamirabharani – Karumaeniyar – Nambiyar river linking channel between Thamizhakurichi and Moolaikaraipatti, he assured that it would be cleared before the onset of northeast monsoon.The farmers also appealed to the Collector to take steps for desilting of Palamadai and Kuppaikurichi irrigation tanks.As the grievances redressal meeting, which was scheduled to commence at 10.30 a.m., did not start even after 12 noon since the Collector had to attend two more meetings before participating in this meeting, the annoyed farmers left the meeting hall in the second floor and sat on the floor in front of the main entrance of the administrative building in protest.Even as the agitation was going on despite repeated appeals from the officials and the police, Mr. Anand Mohan met the protesting farmers, who returned to the meeting hall immediately. And, the meeting started at 12.10 p.m.“Since I had to attend two meetings, including the meeting meant for the senior citizens before coming here, I completed both the meetings. I did not want the senior citizens to be kept waiting for long. If a similar situation arises in future, the District Revenue Officer will start the meeting on time and I’ll join you later after fulfilling other official commitments. We’re working for you and to fulfil all your genuine demands. I seek more cooperation from you,” the Collector said. Published - August 21, 2026 07:38 pm IST
