Enact legislation to protect farm lands in UT: AIADMK leader

Puducherry, Jan 22 (UNI) AIADMK state secretary A Anbazhagan, MLA, today urged the territorial administration to enact a proper legislation to protect the agricultural lands in the Union Territory.

Addressing a press conference here, he pointed out crop lands were being converted for setting up industrial units, real estate and construction of buildings for educational institutions due to callous attitude of government officials.

If the present trend continued, there would be no agricultural lands here, he feared.

Five years ago there were about 48,000 hectares of agricultural lands and it had now reduced to 30,000 hectares, he said and alleged that a gang operating here was encroaching ponds and tanks.

There was no water in the Madagadippattu lake from where water for irrigation was supplied to 15 villages earlier as the channel through which the lake received water was encroached upon, he said adding that no action was taken by the government in this regard.

He said the government, which had announced to protect the interest of farmers had not only failed to waive the agricultural loans, but also not taken steps for provision of fresh loans to farmers.

Following bumper paddy harvest in Karaikal this year, the government had announced that it had made arrangements with the FCI for the procurement of paddy, but nothing had materialised so far, he said.

The visit of Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to see rehabilation of tsumani victims had gone wasted as he was taken to Moorthipudukuppan and Veerampatinam villages which were least affected, the AIADMK leader said.

Alleging that a realtor, who had usurped 10,000 sq ft of government land at Sholathandavanpet near here had sold it as housing plots, Mr Anbazhagan said and urged the Lt Governor to order an inquiry and take proper action against the persons behind it.

UNI