The Hindu : Front Page : Shortage of fertilisers: Farmers

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Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
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Shortage of fertilisers: Farmers

S. Sundar

Officials say stock is on the way, will reach Madurai by today

MADURAI: Farmers complained of lack of stock of fertilizers, like urea and complex, at the monthly farmers’ grievance meeting held here on Friday.

During the discussion, one of them raised the issue saying that complex was out of stock in the cooperative societies in Chellampatti block. Another added that even urea was not available there.

The District Revenue Officer, Dinesh Oliver Ponraj, who was chairing the meeting sought clarification from officials of the Cooperative Department. An official said that stocks of complex was on the way to Madurai and was expected by Saturday. Not satisfied with his reply, Mr. Ponraj asked whether the stock was available at present or not.

When the reply was in negative, the DRO was furious and wondered how the fertilizers could go out of stock and why were the officials not following it up for replenishing it immediately. “This should not recur in the next meeting,” he said in a firm tone warning the officials of stern action in future.

When farmers raised the issue of immediate availability, the official said that the staff of Cooperative Department would work on Saturday and Sunday to move the goods to various cooperative societies.

Meanwhile, farmers of Periyar Main Canal complained of irregular supply of water for irrigation in eighth, ninth and 11th branch canals. While the rule accorded priority to supply water for the tail-end region, the water has not reached those areas in Kallandiri, one of them complained. He said with elected members in Water Users’ Association, the regulation of water should be handed over to farmers.

A Public Works Department engineer said efforts would be taken to distribute water .

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