Jaya urges TN Govt to enhance compensation to ryots

Chennai, Mar 25 (UNI) Accusing the DMK government of being slow in undertaking relief measures in the rain-hit areas, AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today urged the government to pay enhanced compensation to the farmers who had lost their crops and help them get fresh farm loans.

In a statement here, she said the incessant rains during the last two weeks had claimed 27 lives, besides leaving a trail of destruction, destroying crops and huts. But, the Ministers, after remaining silent for the last ten days, have started visiting the affected areas only now.

The AIADMK leader said the compensation of Rs 4,000 per hectare given to farmers was low and it should be hiked to at least Rs 10,000 per hectare. During her regime, the farmers were paid a compensation of Rs 7,400 per hectare, she added.

Ms Jayalalithaa said in many places, people were facing hardship as their houses were either damaged or inundated. Similarly, farmers were also dejected as they had lost their paddy crops, which were ready for harvest.

In the coastal districts, thousands of workers in the salt beds were rendered jobless as the salt beds were submerged in rain water and fishermen were struggling as they could not venture into the sea for fishing.

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