A leading farmers' association in Tamil Nadu has made a significant appeal to the state government ahead of a crucial policy meeting. The Tamil Nadu Cauvery Delta Farmers' Protection Association has urged the government to ensure the participation of heads of several key national and state institutions in an upcoming consultation on paddy procurement.
Key Meeting After Two-Year Gap
The important consultation meeting regarding the samba-thaladi paddy procurement policy is scheduled to be held in Thanjavur on Monday. This gathering of farmers, government officials, and ministers is notably being convened after a gap of two years, just ahead of the vital procurement season. The association expressed its gratitude to the government for organizing this long-awaited dialogue platform.
Request for Inclusive Participation
'Swamimalai' Vimalanathan, the secretary of the association, formally requested the inclusion of top officials from critical agencies. The association believes their presence is essential for a holistic discussion. The requested officials include:
- The regional director of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) – for insights on monsoon forecasts and weather patterns affecting crops.
- The general manager of NABARD's Tamil Nadu zone – for matters related to agricultural credit and financing.
- The chief executive officer of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for the Tamil Nadu region – central to the procurement and storage process.
- The zonal director of the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) central anti-corruption branch.
- The director of the Tamil Nadu vigilance and anti-corruption department.
- The managing director of the Tamil Nadu Sugar Corporation.
- The managing director of Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL).
Call for a Productive Outcome
The farmers' body went a step further by appealing for suitable directions to ensure the meeting transcends a mere formality. They emphasized the need for the forum to become a productive platform for practical suggestions and opinions. The clear expectation is that the consultation should lead to actionable decisions that address the ground realities faced by the paddy farmers of the Cauvery Delta region, rather than remaining a symbolic event.
The association's request underscores the farmers' desire for a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to solving the complex issues surrounding paddy procurement, pricing, and market linkages. By involving officials from meteorology, finance, procurement, and anti-corruption bodies, they aim to address the entire spectrum of challenges in a single, decisive meeting.
