Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Tuesday announced that various charges and cess payable by farmers and traders till April 30 would be waived. The decision was taken to boost the movement of essential food grains, vegetables and fruits and to ensure their smooth supply to the public during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.
In a statement, Mr. Palaniswami announced that the 1% market cess levied on traders winning the bid for agricultural produce from the farmers in about 272 markets across the State would be waived.
For want of buyers, sections of farmers dump produce
A senior government official explained that the waiver of cess was aimed at encouraging more people to come for bidding. The official added that even if the lockdown was lifted after April 14, these concessions would continue till April 30.
Mr. Palaniswami said the charges collected from farmers to store their agricultural produce in the cold storage facilities in various districts, would also not be collected. Since many farmers were not getting a good price for their produce, they could avail of these facilities for free. The decision was also expected to benefit mango farmers in the coming days.
Farmers are at their wits’ end
Loans for farmers
The Chief Minister also announced that farmer producer organisations (FPOs) would be granted loans up to ₹10 lakh so that they get some working capital in hand. An additional 500 mobile units to sell vegetables and fruits would be introduced in urban areas.
Farmers are among the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic
Farmers could use the helplines 044- 22253884, 22253885, 22253496 and 95000 91904 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Officials manning these helplines would help farmers on any issue they might have related to agriculture and horticulture.
Agricultural helpines in all districts
The government has also set up agricultural helplines in all districts. The numbers are as follows:
No. |
Districts |
Helplines |
|---|---|---|
1. |
Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu |
98439 38301 |
2. |
Tiruvallur |
77085 41376 |
3. |
Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupattur |
94425 80451 |
4. |
Tiruvannamalai |
93611 10552 |
5. |
Cuddalore |
94864 20540 |
6. |
Villupuram and Kallakurichi |
94437 87717 |
7. |
Salem |
94433 63660 |
8. |
Namakkal |
90803 86024 |
9. |
Dharmapuri |
98658 15763 |
10. |
Krishnagiri |
94447 10229 |
11. |
Coimbatore |
90036 60358 |
12. |
The Nilgiris |
99949 34804 |
13. |
Erode and Tiruppur |
94435 46094 |
14. |
Tiruchi |
70103 30487 |
15. |
Karur |
73056 30487 |
16. |
Perambalur and Ariyalur |
70103 30487 |
17. |
Thanjavur |
99446 69922 |
18. |
Nagapattinam |
99446 69922 |
19. |
Tiruvarur |
99446 69922 |
20. |
Pudukkottai |
94430 08455 |
21. |
Ramanathapuram |
96773 67772 |
22. |
Sivaganga |
99946 21079 |
23. |
Madurai |
94430 04662 |
24. |
Theni |
94420 09901 |
25. |
Dindigul |
97867 85180 |
26. |
Virudhunagar |
75982 86370 |
27. |
Tirunelveli and Tenkasi |
98427 89906 |
28. |
Thoothukudi |
94875 23498 |
29. |
Kanniyakumari |
94434 32430 |
