Kovai farmers protest move to disconnect power supply

District Collector S Prabhakaran recently directed the Public Works Department (PWD) and Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) to conduct an inspection on the reported misuse and to disconnect electricity supply to the errant farmers.

Stating that water level in the dam crossed 51 feet and the outflow was also increased to 200 cusecs, the farmers contended why they should not pump water when there is excess flow. They claimed that they were allowed to directly pump water from the river for irrigation even when the water level was only 31 feet.

The protesting farmers also questioned the district administration and departments concerned for not stopping carton box manufacturing companies from direct, large scale pumping of water from the river. They alleged that there were 10 such carton box manufacturing units there. After a long debate with the officials, the farmers cleared the road following an assurance from Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) P Govindaraj that he would intervene and put on hold the efforts to disconnect electricity connection of farmers. The RDO also assured to arrange for a meeting for the farmers with the district administration to come out with a solution for the issue.