Opposition criticises govt’s kuruvai package

Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami criticised DMK govt on Saturday for announcing a “meagre” kuruvai package for farmers. PMK’s S Ramadoss also said the package would not sufficiently support farmers.
“Barring the amount sanctioned for MGNREGS, the rest can neither wipe the tears nor alleviate the sufferings of the farmers,” EPS said, dubbing the gesture as part of the DMK's “political drama.” He asked how farmers would buy paddy seeds and prepare the nursery in the absence of water for irrigation.He also criticised the govt for not providing insurance cover to kuruvai crop last year.
The govt’s relief announcement did not mention three-phase power supply, which was available during the AIADMK regime, EPS said. “The package is just an eyewash to hide the crime of failing to secure the rightful share of Cauvery water from the Congress govt in Karnataka, an INDIA bloc party,” he said.
Ramadoss said the govt previously covered the cost of mechanical ploughing, contrasting sharply with the current subsidy of 4,000 an acre. In a statement, he said gypsum was previously given free of cost for 50,000 acres unlike the latest announcement of 250 per acre for 25,000 acres. He said the kuruvai crop cannot be cultivated without uninterrupted supply for at least 16 hours. “The kuruvai package should be extended to all farmers,” he said.