Compensate Tamil Nadu farmers, says AIKS

Mourning the lost of 69 lives in the cyclone that battered Tamil Nadu, the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on Thursday asked the Central and state governments to to fully compensate the losses suffered by the farmers in the state.

"AIKS demands that the Central government immediately release contingency funds to meet the immediate expenses," AIKS said in a statement. "AIKS demands that the Central and state governments must fully compensate the losses suffered by the farmers."

The AIKS demanded the waiver of loans taken by the farmers in the state for agriculture.

"The state and Central governments should take all possible steps for rescue, relief and rehabilitation of all those who are affected. The Central government should provide adequate financial help to the state," it said.

A farmer, C. Sundar Raj, 55, who lost his coconut trees in 5 acres of land, committed suicide unable to bear the losses estimated at over Rs 25 lakh, it said.

The cyclone has caused massive destruction in Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur and Pudukottai districts of the Cauvery Delta.

AIKS said that over 50 lakh coconut trees in more than 28,000 hectares had been uprooted in the cyclone. Nearly 5,000 fishing boats have also been reported to be destroyed in addition to damages to thousands of fishing vessels.

More than 11 lakh roadside trees and more than 1 lakh electricity poles have been destroyed. Many houses have also suffered severe damage. Life has been severely hit.

--IANS

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