Latest news with #P.R.Pandian
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Farmers' associations seek update on Noyyal river restoration project
Farmers' associations have sought removal of encroachments along the Noyyal river embankments and prevention of sewage water entry, and have emphasised on implementation of the project for its restoration. They seek to know the outcome of the ₹990 crore project proposed by the Coimbatore and Tiruppur Corporations for restoration of Noyyal river under the 'Nadanthai Vaazhi Cauvery'. The project entails 40% contribution by the State government and 60% from National River Restoration Fund, managed by the Ministry of Jal Sakthi. The project is supposed to be implemented under the Ministry's National Mission for Clean Ganga. Noyyal, a tributary of Cauvery river, was brought under the river restoration project along with Adyar, Cooum, Vaigai and Vennar rivers in Tamil Nadu. The works proposed include collection, transportation and treatment of municipal sewage, river front development, low-cost sanitation, electric crematoria, and improved wood-based crematoria. After taking stock of the extent of pollution in the Noyyal flowing through Coimbatore city on Friday, president of the Coordination Committee of All Farmers' Associations of Tamil Nadu and coordinator of the Samyuktha Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) P.R. Pandian said the once majestic river originating in the hills has now been reduced to a sewage channel. Industrial effluent and sewage have caused the risk of spread of infectious diseases. Safeguarding of the river was vital for the upkeep of the health of the residents in the city. There was also the risk of groundwater depletion due to the neglect of the river, Mr. Pandian said, urging the State government to rope in industrialists to develop a masterplan for protecting the river. In the recent meeting of the grievances redress session for farmers, the district unit of the Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam made a representation to the district administration seeking update on the massive project proposed to be undertaken by the Central and State governments for restoration of the river. Just as the Noyyal river in the South of Coimbatore, the Kaushika river in North Coimbatore must also be given importance for restoration in the interests of the several thousands of farmers with small holdings, district unit president of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam N. Dhandapani and secretary G. Ranganathan emphasised.
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Delta farmers seek State govt.'s clarification on use of genetically modified seeds
Delta farmers have sought a clarification from the State government on reports that genetically 'modified' paddy seeds are to be tested in the delta region. Federation of All Farmers' Associations in Tamil Nadu coordinator P.R. Pandian told presspersons here on Sunday that Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently released a set of modified seeds. Stating that Indian farmers had been opposing the introduction of genetically modified seeds and a case had been pending in the Supreme Court, Mr. Pandian said that farmers were shocked to hear the news that these two genetically 'modified' seeds would be put to test in delta districts. Seeking a clarification from the State government, delta farmers urged the State government to look into this issue by forming an expert committee to analyse the impact of 'modified' seeds in the time-tested agriculture operations in the delta region.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
TNCSC to take over DPCs from NCCF in eight districts
The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) has informed the farmers that it would take over the Direct Purchase Centres (DPCs) operated by the representative of the National Consumer Cooperative Federation (NCCF) in eight districts in Tamil Nadu reportedly due to the concerns raised by the farmers with respect to the procurement of paddy. Disclosing this to the media, the president of Tamil Nadu Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations P. R. Pandian said the State's consent to allow the NCCF to procure paddy from the farmers in Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli through its representative, the Tamil Nadu Paddy and Rice Processing Federation (TNPRPF), led to delay or non-payment of sales proceeds or non-procurement of paddy at several places in these eight districts. Subsequently, the Farmers' Federation and local farmers' associations announced an agitation on May 27 seeking the take over of the paddy procurement operations by the TNCSC from NCCF. However, a meeting in this regard was held at Chennai on May 26, where it was declared that the TNCSC would take over the paddy procurement operations from the NCCF's representative organisation in these eight districts. The allegations of non-payment of sale proceeds and delay in procurement of paddy would be sorted out soon by the Corporation, said Mr. P. R. Pandian.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Farmers hold hunger protest demanding removal of ban on toddy
All Farmers Associations of Tamil Nadu staged a hunger protest in Coimbatore on Friday demanding that the ban on toddy be lifted and sought categorisation of the beverage as a traditional health drink. The DMK Government was not prepared to accept toddy sale in Tamil Nadu despite the High Court's advice for lifting its ban, with the intent of profiteering from sale of IMFL, thereby increasing the rate of alcohol-addiction, P.R. Pandian, president of the Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations of Tamil Nadu, said. There was no such ban on toddy in the neighbouring States. The DMK party had, while in opposition, conducted agitations demanding ban on IMFL, citing the destruction caused to family system due to alcoholic addiction of the earning member, he said. The government had not paid heed to the demand by farmers for distribution of coconut oil, instead of palm oil, through the public distribution system, he added.
