This state announces 24-hr 3-phase free power for farmers

Tiruppur: Days after announcing waiver of crop loans to the tune of Rs 12,110 crore availed by the farmers, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday announced 24-hour three-phase free power for agricultural pump sets.

On the second day of his campaigning at Udumalpet in this Western belt of the State ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, he said following receipt of several demands from the farmers, the government would provide three-phase power supply to agricultural pump sets for 24 hours, to help farmers irrigate their fields.

Pointing out that many farmers reside in Udumalpet, he highlighted various schemes introduced by the AIADMK government for the benefit of the farmers.

Mr Palaniswami had on February five announced in the State Assembly that crop loans outstanding in cooperative banks to the tune of Rs 12,110 crore availed by the farmers would be waived.

Making a statement under Rule 110, he said over 16.43 lakh farmers would be benefitted across the State.

Mr Palaniswami said the decision to waive the crop loans was taken taking into account the prevailing situation and the representations received from the farming community in view of the damages caused to crops in the recent cyclones and heavy rains.

Earlier, addressing the electorate at Palladam, the Chief Minister said work on setting up the ‘1100’ helpline to address the grievances of the public has been going on for two months and it will be launched in another 10 days.

He said public could register their grievances from the comforts of their home in the helpline and they would address immediately.

Having a dig at Opposition DMK President M K Stalin for indulging in “defamatory and false campaigns” against the ruling AIADMK government, the Chief Minister said the State government has been issuing advertisements in newspapers listing out its achievements to counter the “false propaganda of the DMK.

Mr Palaniswami also referred to Mr Stalin’s aspirations of becoming the Chief Minister and said he (the DMK Chief) could only become CM in his ream as people have decided that the AIADMK government should continue.

He also targeted the DMK for working only to pursue its family interests and not of the welfare of the people.

During his extensive campaigning, Mr Palaniswami also addressed women self-help groups (SHG) and listed out schemes introduced by the State government for women.

He also pointed out that the government has provided Rs 12,500 crore to the SHGs through credit linkage during the COVID-19 pandemic. (UNI)