The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Agricultural workers held

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Agricultural workers held

Special Correspondent

Seek implementation of report on wages

CHENNAI: Thousands of agricultural workers affiliated to the Tamil Maanila Agricultural Workers Union were arrested throughout the State on Monday when they attempted to stage a dharna protesting against the " indifferent attitude" of the State Government towards the demands of farm workers.

The demands included immediate implementation of the Kolappan Committee report on farm labourers' wages, revival of the Agricultural Workers Welfare Board and early opening of the Mettur reservoir for kuruvai cultivation.

The dharna was held at all taluk headquarters in the delta districts and at other district headquarters. In Tenkasi, CPI MP M. Appadurai was arrested along with 500 demonstrators. CPI MLAs G. Palnisamy, V. Sivapunniam and S. Rajendran were arrested in Tiruthuraipoondi, Mannargudi and Kovilapatti respectively when they attempted to stage dharnas with thousands of agricultural workers. They were released later in the evening.

According to the union's general secretary, R. Mutharasan, about 50,000 workers, including 5000 women were arrested throughout the State. In a statement here, he said the Kolappan Committee report submitted seven years back had not been implemented so far. Similarly, the Agricultural Workers' Welfare Board with a membership of seven lakh workers and a corpus fund of Rs. 7 crores had not been functioning since 2001.

Mr. Mutharasan said the farmers in the delta districts were facing an uncertain future as there was no word about the reopening of the Mettur reservoir for kuruvai cultivation either from the Centre or from the State Government. He urged both governments to take immediate steps to ensure that the State got its due share of Cauvery water.

However, police sources said only 7,500 farmers were arrested as a preventive measure and they were released in the afternoon. The agitation was held in about 100 centres in 29 districts.

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