President of Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations of Tamil Nadu says the DMK government, not for a single time in its four years of governance worked for the welfare of the farmers in the State
"While Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin stood with the farmers when his party was in opposition, he has now taken an antithetical stand after winning over the government," said P.R. Pandian, president of Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations of Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, he added, as a case in point, the DMK, when in opposition, said their opposition to hydrocarbon project in the State was their policy decision, but, in their ruling for close to five years, they have silently granted permission for the same hydrocarbon project to Oil and Natural Gas Project in Ramanathapuram.
However, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu claimed that the Environment Department's nod for the project went without their knowledge and they would soon withdraw the permission, Mr. Pandian alleged.
"This very well shows how the DMK government is betraying farmers," he added.
Listing out other policies and acts of the DMK government which has been reportedly opposed by the public and farmers, Mr. Pandian argued that starting from deliberate neglect of fund allocation to Water Resources Department, bringing in Land Consolidation Act to favour corporate companies and snatch livelihood of farmers, to illegally changing the land classification of a forest land in Pallikarani to benefit a private entity, "The DMK government, not for a single time in its four years of governance worked for the welfare of the farmers in the State."
When no one would oppose the operation of a SIPCOT in a barren land, he noted that the State government was intending to snatch away the fertile lands of the farmers to set up SIPCOT.
In order to bring back the DMK government to the opposition and to educate the public about such anti-farmer laws and schemes, he noted, "We are planning a campaign tour in December to expose the DMK government's anti-farmer laws and schemes to the people. If the Tamil Nadu government does not withdraw the Land Consolidation Act, we will turn against the DMK regime. The farmers' campaign is a struggle against the government, not against any specific political party."
"As far as I am concerned, when he was the Leader of the Opposition, farmers were safe. Only after he became the Chief Minister have farmers been pushed into an unsafe situation. Therefore, the DMK being in the opposition is better for the welfare of Tamil Nadu," he added.
"We welcome Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam speaking about farmers' issues after a delay due to a difficult situation. We will support whoever raises their voices in support of farmers," he noted.