The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Cuddalore News : Govt. ignoring uzhavar sandhais: Cuddalore MLA

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 10, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Cuddalore

Govt. ignoring uzhavar sandhais: Cuddalore MLA

By Our Special Correspondent

CUDDALORE, JUNE 9. The Cuddalore MLA, Ela. Pugazhendi, has alleged that the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is paying scant regard to Uzhavar Sandhais (farmers' markets), because of which many have been closed down. However, there are certain sandhais, including the one in Cuddalore, that are still doing well against the odds.

Mr. Pugazhendi today visited the sandhai in the heart of the town and enquired of farmers about the facilities there. The Municipal Chairman, A.G. Rajendran, accompanied him.

The MLA said the Cuddalore sandhai had been providing a marketing avenue for farmers in Nanamedu, Kandakadu, Uppalavadi, Uchimedu, Vazhisothanaipalayam, Annavalli, Karaikadu, Sangolikuppam, Pachayankuppam and Kudikadu.

He noted that during the DMK regime, the farmers were allowed free travel in transport corporation buses to bring their produce to the sandhais. The daily sales of vegetables in the sandhai touched 10 tonnes, and it also provided employment opportunities (as each sandhai employed three makkal nala paniyalargal).

The government had reduced the number of makkal nala paniyalargals and officials posted at the sandhais. The buses were now levying luggage charges on farmers' produce, and yet, the farmers were regularly coming to the Cuddalore sandhai.

He said that the Municipal Chairman, conceding the demand of the farmers, had agreed provide a pipe connection to the sandhai. It was also proposed to shift the entrance to the northern side, as the present one was causing traffic congestion, he said.

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