Delta farmers confer ‘Cauvery Kaappaalar’ title on CM for agri zone

“We went through various titles for the past few weeks and decided to confer the Chief Minister the title of ‘Cauvery Kaappaalar’ which fits him for ensuring a livelihood to the farmers by passing the bill,” said Mannargudi S Ranganathan, the General Secretary of the Cauvery Delta Farmers Association whoconferred the title.

Ranganathan felicitated the Chief Minister for being humble and taking strong decisions for the welfare of the farmers and the agriculture. “Cauvery Kaappaalar will protect the future of agriculture in the Cauvery delta region and a stone inscription conveying the same would to be erected and opened on June 12 to commemorate the event,” said Ranganathan.

Accepting the title, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said that since being a farmer himself, he is aware of the feelings of a farmer and their requirements. The Bill directing Cauvery Delta as Protected Special Agricultural Zone would savethe farmers and the agriculture in the region for years, he said.

“The post of Chief Minister is just temporary but the designation of ‘farmer’ would always follow me forever,” said the visibly moved Chief Minister. Stating that the government was committed to double the income of the farmers, he said that more than 65 per cent of the population in the State were farmers and the government have been taking variousinitiatives to double the farmers' income.

Accusing the Opposition parties of spreading false propaganda that only the Centre could pass the Bill, Chief Minister said that the Union Minister has clearly stated that even the State government could pass such Bills. The Opposition parties were not interested on the welfare of the farmers, the Chief Minister alleged.

Pointing out that the Cauvery Delta had witnessed a bumper harvest this season, the CM said that it was possible through the desilting works carried out on waterbodies by his government across the State.

Withdrawal of cases on Cauvery delta protesters under consideration:

Stating that all are equal before law, the CM said cases were slapped against those who fought for their rights in the region. As Cauvery Delta has been declared as the protected agricultural zone, the demand of the farmers and the activists have been fulfilled and the long standing demand for withdrawal of cases against those who fought for the PSAZ would soon be withdrawn, the CM said.