NewKerala.com

Key Points

Tamil Nadu's Delta farmers are urgently calling for the state government to restart tripartite meetings that haven't occurred for two years. Their main demand is shifting paddy procurement from 40kg to 50kg bags to combat corruption and reduce unfair deductions. Farmers report paying Rs 60 bribes per bag and losing 2kg of paddy through current practices. With Kharif procurement underway, they hope the government will finally address these long-standing grievances.

Key Points: Tamil Nadu Delta Farmers Demand 50kg Paddy Bags and Tripartite Meeting

  • Farmers demand shift from 40kg to 50kg paddy bags to reduce corruption
  • Seek revival of tripartite meetings with officials and representatives
  • Claim Rs 60 bribe per bag plus 2kg paddy deductions currently
  • Note other grains procured in 100kg bags while paddy restricted
2 min read

TN Delta farmers press for tripartite meeting, demand paddy procurement in 50 kg bags

TN Delta farmers press govt for tripartite meeting & demand paddy procurement in 50kg bags to reduce corruption and unfair deductions during Kharif season.

"We have been demanding procurement in 50 kg bags for years. It would reduce the quantum of deduction and bring fairness into the system. - Swamimalai Sundara Vimalanathan"

Chennai, Sep 8

Delta farmers of Tamil Nadu have renewed their appeal to the state government to convene a tripartite meeting to discuss paddy procurement policies, a practice that was regularly followed in the past but has not been held for the last two years.

Farmers argue that such a platform would allow them to voice their concerns and push for long-pending reforms in procurement practices. One of their primary demands is for paddy procurement to be shifted from the existing 40 kg bags to 50 kg bags during the current Kharif Marketing Season (KMS).

Farmers say that using 50 kg bags would reduce deductions and corruption while easing the burden on cultivators.

“While commodities like sesame, cotton, black gram, green gram, maize, ragi, pepper, and other grains are procured in 100 kg bags, paddy alone is restricted to 40 kg bags. This not only leads to irregularities but also forces us to pay bribes and bear unnecessary deductions,” said Swamimalai Sundara Vimalanathan, Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Protection Association.

He claimed that farmers are compelled to pay up to Rs 60 per 40 kg bag as a bribe, in addition to losing two kilograms of paddy per bag through deductions. Farmers point out that other government departments, including the Agriculture Marketing and Agri Business Department, procure paddy in larger bags of 75 kg, while fertilisers and multi-grains are handled in 50 kg bags.

The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC), however, continues to rely on the smaller 40 kg bags, putting cultivators at a disadvantage. The tripartite meeting, traditionally held before the start of procurement, used to include officials, elected representatives, and farmers, giving cultivators the opportunity to influence policy decisions.

Farmers now allege that the state’s hesitation to convene such meetings has left them without a formal channel to address grievances.

“We have been demanding procurement in 50 kg bags for years. It would reduce the quantum of deduction and bring fairness into the system. Without such reforms, farmers remain at the receiving end,” Vimalnathan added.

With procurement for the current season underway, farmers remain anxious, hoping that the government will heed their call, revive the tripartite meeting system, and take steps to ensure that their demands are finally addressed.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Why is the government avoiding tripartite meetings? This is exactly how farmers' voices get silenced. When officials, representatives and farmers sit together, real solutions emerge. The current system benefits only the middlemen and corrupt officials.
Suresh O
Rs 60 bribe per bag plus 2kg deduction? This is daylight robbery! Our farmers work so hard only to be exploited like this. The government must intervene immediately. 50kg bags would significantly reduce these corrupt practices.
M
Michael C
While I support farmers' demands, I wonder about the logistics. Would shifting to 50kg bags require new infrastructure or handling equipment? The government should consider both farmer welfare and practical implementation aspects.
K
Kavya N
It's shocking that other grains get 100kg bags but paddy is stuck with 40kg! Our delta farmers feed the nation and deserve better treatment. The tripartite meetings must resume - dialogue is essential for progress. 👍
A
Aryan P
As a young farmer from Trichy, I've seen how these outdated practices discourage the next generation from continuing farming. Modernizing procurement with 50kg bags would show that the government actually cares about making farming sustainable.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50