The Hindu : An erstwhile princely state is languishing

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 26, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

An erstwhile princely state is languishing

By R. Rajaram

An erstwhile princely State, Pudukottai district, carved out of Tiruchi and Thanjavur districts, came into being on January 14, 1974. Though endowed with a large number of tanks, Pudukottai, with a total area of 4,650 sqkm and a 39-km coastline, has remained drought-prone.

Predominantly agriculture-oriented, it is a backward district with no major industries. Repeated monsoon failure over the past three years has badly hit agricultural operations in the district, known as the `Land of tanks' as is Sivaganga, affecting farmers and agricultural labourers who form a chunk of the population. Lack of rainfall has left over 5,000 tanks completely dry, resulting in a decline in irrigated area. The sharp fall in groundwater level has lead to drinking water scarcity in different areas in the district where paddy is the major crop.

In Viralimalai, Annavasal, Kunnandarkoil, Arimalam, Ponnamaravathy, Aranthangi, Avudaiyarkoil and Thirumayam agriculture has been badly affected. A section of farmers and agricultural labourers has migrated to neighbouring districts or States.

Trade circles here say a few groundnut mills at Aranthangi and Alangudi closed shop owing to drought conditions. In the absence of raw material and poor capital inflow, industrial development remains sluggish. Granite quarrying, synthetic gem-cutting and coir rope-making are the main economic activities. The fishing community too is not a happy lot. Fishermen are plagued by a decline in catch over the years, inadequate drinking water supply in coastal areas and the absence of proper infrastructure.

The constituency will witness a direct fight between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam this time. The ex-AIADMK Minister, S. Raghupathy, who switched over to the DMK, will lock horns with the AIADMK candidate A. Ravichandran, a new face and lawyer by profession. Barring Aranthangi, the AIADMK won in all other four Assembly constituencies during the 2001 Assembly elections.

The Thirunavukkarasar factor is expected to play a key role in the elections. The Union Minister consistently won from Aranthangi and was elected in the 1999 election.

He is not contesting this time. So far, the AIADMK, which is contesting the seat, has not approached supporters of Mr. Thirunavukkarasar, says a close aide.

Total number of Assembly segments: 5 (Kolathur (SC), Pudukottai, Alangudi, Aranthangi and Tirumayam). Tirumayam comes under the Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency and the Pattukottai and Peravurani constituencies, both in Thanjavur district, come under the Pudukottai Lok Sabha constituency.

Total electorate: 10,58,980. (Men - 5,17,727, women - 5,41,253).

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