Collector slams officials for slackness in redressing farmers’ grievances

Collector M.S. Sangeetha warns officials to address farmers' grievances promptly, emphasizing the need for specific responses and accountability.

Condemning slackness of officials in redressing farmers’ grievances, Collector M.S. Sangeetha warned some of them to expedite clearing their petitions stacked on tables for years.

As many local body officials and Public Works Department officials were generic in their response at the farmers’ grievance meeting held here on Friday, Ms. Sangeetha warned them to be specific in their reply.

As many farmers complained of continuing encroachments on waterbodies and channels by private parties, the officials replied that they were waiting for the response from the encroachers.

The Collector said except buildings, other encroachments could be cleared if the officials found they were violating rules and regulations.

S. Kallanai of Melur said a person had illegally built a channel on his patta land to divert water flowing through Periyar Main Channel into Singampunari branch channel to draw water for his fish farm.

He said villagers had spent thousands of rupees to clean the channel using cranes, but with such carelessness of officials, farmers were still struggling to get water.

PWD officials said they would have to check the issue at the location as they learned that water was being diverted at night.