more-in Revenue officials encountered embarrassing moments at the monthly farmers’ grievance redressal meet at the Collectorate here on Friday when agriculturists accused lower level revenue officials of demanding bribe for issuing ‘small and marginal farmer certificates’. Though the allegation made by farmers’ representatives P. Velumayil, Kasamuthu and a few others won the affected agriculturists’ accolades, it was Collector Shilpa Prabhakar Satish who stole the show by promising to immediately place under suspension the officials if the farmers could prove their charges. Narrating the obstacles faced in getting the certificates from VAOs, Mr. Velumayil and Mr. Kasamuthu said that farmers, who had taken land on lease and who wished to have micro irrigation systems, were struggling to get the certificates with which they could avail themselves of subsidies. Farmers from Sankarankovil alleged that VAOs in the taluk were demanding ?1,000 per certificate. While farmers were heaping accusations on revenue officials, Ms. Shilpa said they should come out with evidence to substantiate their charges. “If you can prove your charges, he or she will be placed under suspension immediately while other legal formalities will follow. So come out with proof to back your charges,” Ms. Shilpa said amidst applause from farmers. Again, bribery became a theme of heated debate when Mr. Velumayil alleged that the permission given for stone quarrying near Ramanadhi dam had affected its stability. “I want to reiterate that farmers, before making such allegations, should submit their complaints with evidence so as to enable me take appropriate action against anyone demanding bribe. I’ve given permission for five stone quarries in the district after I assumed office. Would you say that I gave permit after taking bribe? If you want to do so, please submit evidence you have before making such charges. If you can prove your charges, I’m prepared to take stringent action against the erring officials,” Ms. Shilpa said. She suggested that the farmers could apply online for small and marginal farmer certificates and then approach officials if they encountered any obstacles. “We will organise special camps at taluk offices to issue the certificates,” Ms. Shilpa announced. When the farmers complained about shortage of DAP and its sale in a few shops at inflated price, Assistant Director of Agriculture Jothibasu said the scarcity was due to the stoppage of production by a Thoothukudi-based fertilizer major, which was getting phosphoric acid from Sterlite Copper. After Sterlite Copper’s closure, the fertilizer major had to import the acid to resume DAP production. “Meanwhile, 2,000 tonnes of DAP, imported at Karaikal port, is being packed and it will reach here in 15 days,” Mr. Jothibasu explained. Farmer Palanisamy and others, who have supplied sugarcane to Dharani Sugars at Vasudevanallur, appealed to the Collector to instruct the officials to ensure early disbursal of ?12.74 crore arrears. An official representing the sugar factory assured that the arrears would be settled in the first week of August. Ms. Shilpa, while answering queries on non-disbursal of crop insurance, said a team of officials had gone to Delhi to submit information required by the insurance firm for disbursing crop loss compensation to farmers of Karisalkulam, Malaiyankulam and Maanur for 2016-17. When the farmers complained about intrusion of wild animal, the Collector said trenches would be dug along the Western Ghats under the MGNREGP.

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