The Cumbum Valley Farmers Association have submitted a petition to Tamil Nadu Minister of Cooperatives I. Periyasamy stating that Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan has given the title of ‘thieves’ to farmers alleging that officials at the behest of Palanivel Thiagarajan have cut off power to prevent the farmers from using Mullaiperiyar water for irrigation.
Farmers of Theni district in and around the Mullaiperiyar dam have dug wells in their own property (patta land) to use the water for irrigation.
However, farmers have alleged that the authorities have cut off power supply on the orders of Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan, claiming that they are stealing water from the Mullaiperiyar.
In this situation, the Minister of Cooperatives, I. Periyasamy who came to the Theni District Collector’s Office was met by the farmers of Cumbum Valley. Around 200 farmers submitted a petition to the Minister in which they stated that Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan has given the title of thieves to farmers who produce food. They said that farmers use the water for irrigation and not for any other purpose.
The farmers have asked Chief Minister MK Stalin to stop the despotic actions of Palanivel Thiagarajan affecting thousands of farmers and their livelihoods.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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