Sivaganga: Sugarcane growers from Melur in Madurai district have appealed to the authorities to allow them to crush their produce at Sakti Sugar Mills in Padamathur, located in Sivaganga district. The demand was made during the monthly farmers’ grievance redress meeting held on Friday, chaired by Sivaganga District Collector Asha Ajith, reported The Hindu.
Farmer Chandran highlighted that the National Sugar Mills in Alanganallur was non-operational and requested permission for Melur farmers to send their sugarcane to the Padamathur facility. Officials responded that they would examine the feasibility of the proposal and make an announcement soon.
Another farmer, Ramalingam, raised concerns over the ongoing shortage of urea and super phosphate, noting that despite previous assurances, the fertilizers had not arrived. The Collector assured that steps would be taken immediately and instructed officials to respond without delay.
Frustration was evident when a farmer pointed out that he had received three conflicting replies from the Water Resources Department regarding a request to desilt the Panayendal tank—initial approval, a delay due to rain, and finally a promise to seek funds for next year.
Farmers also urged action against ‘seemai karuvelam’ trees along the Vaigai river, which they said were attracting pigs and causing sanitation issues.
Another farmer, Viswanathan, welcomed the district administration’s ₹91 crore fine on an illegal stone quarry that caused six fatalities and requested further inspections of other quarries. Ayyasami, another farmer, demanded that cotton be procured through direct purchase centres like paddy.
