TN: Slew of measures for cylone-hit farmers

CHENNAI: Providing succour to the farmers of Cuddalore and Villupuram districts hit by cyclone Thane, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Saturday announced a slew of measures, including waiver of land tax.

"Cuddalore and Villpuram will be declared Cyclone affected districts and land tax will be completeley waived for farmers.

Further, as part of the over Rs 440.11 crore pending dues in Cooperative banks, small-term loans will be converted as medium-term and medium-term as long-term loans," she said in the assembly.

New crop loans would be disbursed and this move would benefit over 1.10 lakh farmers, she said.

Jayalalithaa announced comprehensive package for farmers of paddy, coconut, cashew and jackfruit including providing mini-kits, government assistance in irrigation, supplying seeds and samplings among others.

While it would take about six months to restore normalcy in these districts, where the December 30 severe storm claimed more than 30 lives and caused extensive damage to crops and properties, her government had acted swiftly and put things back in about a month, she said.

Lauding the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board employees in particular, she said they had worked tirelessly to restore power-related infratsructure that was worst-hit.

On her government's crackdown on landgrabbing, over which several senior DMK men including former ministers are facing cases, she said over 4.35 lakh sq ft of land worth Rs 696 crore had been reclaimed and restored to rightful owners.

Countering the opposition for its allegations of deterioration in law and order, she said her government had accorded top priority for this.

"For instance, murder for gain has reduced by 19.6 per cent in 2011 compared to 2010 and more persons had been detained under Goondas Act after the AIADMK Government came to power (in May, 2011)," she said.