Tamil Nadu - Erode   

Rs. 12 crore for Kalingarayan canal development

ERODE: Kalingarayan canal would be developed at Rs. 12 crore, said the District Revenue Officer, Erode, C. Manoharan on Friday. Mr Manoharan was addressing the Agriculture Grievances Day held at the Erode district collectorate.

Replying to farmers’ demands, Mr. Manoharan said already a proposal for developing the canal had been prepared and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) had agreed to grant the fund and soon the canal would be improved. He said Perumpallam canal too would be developed by removing silt and encroachments at Rs 30 lakh. Regarding the Lower Bhavani Project canal, he said a survey was being conducted and after getting the report, it would be forwarded to the Government for sanction of funds.

Kalingarayan Farmers’ Association president V.M. Velayutham said day by day pollution problem in the Kalingarayan canal was increasing. Only contaminated water was flowing in the canal owing to the discharge of huge quantities of effluents by tanners and dyers.

Pollution Control Board officials said they would take stringent action against the polluters.

Tamilaga Vivasayeegal Sangam secretary N. Periyasamy said more than 10 textile dyeing units were started near Gangapuram and nearby areas in three months. Mr. Periyasamy wanted all such dyeing units removed.

Mr. Velayutham said many farmers who used the contaminated water were affected with various types of diseases, including cancer. Their cattle too had ailments. He said there were no doctors in veterinary sub-centres. He said out of 45 veterinary sub-centres only nine had veterinary doctors.

It was impossible for the nine doctors to visit all areas. Because of this their ailing cattle could not be provided treatment.

Erode District Tamilaga Vivasayeegal Sangam president E.R. Kumarasamy wanted the public works department to remove encroachments along Perumpallam canal to facilitate free flow of water in the canal. Mettur West Bank Canal Farmers Association president R. Mohan said the Prime Minister had sanctioned Rs. 25,000 crore for agriculture development.

The Erode district administration should prepare a project report about the needs of the district and submit it to the Union Government for sanction of funds. Mr. Mohan also said water was likely to be released into the Mettur West Bank canal from August 1 for irrigation.

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