TN minister accuses Oppn of politicising Kuruvai paddy procurement, highlights record achievements
Chennai, Nov 23 – LatestNewsX: Tamil Nadu Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam told reporters at the Secretariat that opposition parties are deliberately spreading misinformation about paddy procurement during the Kuruvai season, claiming they are turning a climate‑driven agricultural issue into a political one.
He explained that unseasonal rains, an effect of climate change, have made this year’s Kuruvai sowing difficult. Yet, the minister highlighted that the state government’s prompt actions—financial help and timely water releases—have helped farmers cope with the setback.
Panneerselvam listed several support measures: a Rs 214‑crore Kuruvai package scheme, input subsidies, and the timely opening of the Mettur dam for irrigation. “As a result of these coordinated efforts, the production of paddy has tripled when compared to past years,” he added.
When asked to compare procurement numbers, the minister pointed out that during the AIADMK’s decade in power only 1.79 crore metric tonnes of paddy were taken, whereas since the DMK took office in 2021 it has already purchased 1.93 crore metric tonnes. “These numbers speak for themselves. The Opposition is spreading false allegations to mislead farmers,” he said.
He also criticized the central government, saying it had refused to allow the blending of fortified rice and declined Tamil Nadu’s request to lift permissible moisture levels for paddy procurement—a vital need amid widespread rains. “After refusing to increase the moisture level, the Prime Minister went on to participate in a conference on natural farming. This is nothing but a double game on issues affecting farmers,” he alleged.
Highlighting the state’s financial aid, Panneerselvam noted that crop insurance claims worth Rs 5,997 crore had been settled over the past four years, benefiting 37 lakh farmers. In addition, Rs 1,692 crore was disbursed as disaster relief to 20 lakh farmers during the same period.
On recent losses due to heavy rains, the minister said 4,893 hectares were hit, affecting 4,667 farmers. He assured that the Chief Minister would soon announce compensation for those farmers.
He also confirmed that fertiliser stocks in Tamil Nadu are more than adequate and that strict monitoring is in place to ensure fair distribution across all districts.
aal/khz
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