Deaths of all farmers can not be attributed to dought:Minister

Disputing reported deaths of of nearly 20 farmers due to crop failure, Tamil Nadu Industries Minister M C Sampath today said all such deaths can not be attributed to the failure of the monsoon.
Many of them might have died to due to various other reasons, he told reporters here during his visit to Kattumannar Kovil Block village to assess the drought situation and crop loss.
He consoled farmers affected by the crop loss and assured them they they would be given sufficient financial assistance after getting the report by a team of officials appointed to assess the drought and subsequent crop loss.

He was accompanied by Gagan Deep Singh Bedi, Secretary Department of Agriculture and Cuddalore District Collector T P Rajesh.
They also met office bearers of various farmers association.
Bedi said financial assistance to farmers affected by crop loss would be given as per the guidelines of the Centre.

Meanwhile, in Dindigul Minister for forests C Srinivasan said the district has been reeling under acute drought owing to failure of monsoon.
Standing crops in 73,795 hectares of land in 342 revenue villages in the district had been affected, he told reporters after inspecting the drought hit areas along with officials.
In Tirunelveli. Minister for Adi Dravidar welfare V M Rajalakshmi, said 80 per cent of 2.5 lakh hectares of farm land was affected due to the drought in the district.

The government fould adequated compensation tthe affected farmers, she said.