Puducherry, Dec 7 (UNI) Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Monday charged that the Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar was trying to divert the attention of the farmers by saying that the farmers did not get adequate price for their produce during the Congress regime.
In a virtual press conference here, Mr Narayanasamy compared the price provided by the Congress and BJP governments and said that the claim of the minister is false and was to divert the attention of the farmers.
Referring to the Bharat Bandh call given by the farmers on December 8 (Tuesday) demanding the repeal of the three farm Acts which the farmers claimed "anti-farmers", the Union Territory CM said that the PCC president A V Subramanian on direction from the Congress High Command had extended support to the bandh. Similarly, DMK and all other opposition parties are supporting it and all of them together will undertake a campaign among the traders and others this evening to support the bandh and make it a successful.
He said agricultural land, thatched huts, fishing boats and 300 Kms of road were damaged in the Nivar cyclone in Puducherry. The loss was estimated around Rs 400 crore and he had written to the PM and Union Home Minister seeking an interim relief of Rs.100 crore.
Meanwhile, the central team, after visiting several areas of Puducherry and assessing the damages, held discussion with him, he said, adding that the team was apprised that the format of loss calculation which was in force 15 years back will do no good to Puducherry. Noting the cost escalation, the central government should keep the format aside and take steps to provide the sought Rs 400 crore and the interim relief of 100 crore immediately. He also sought a separate fund to find a permanent solution to the flood in Puducherry every year.
The team leader said that he will submit the report to the government at the earliest, Narayansamy added.
Pointing out that the COVID-19 infection came down in Puducherry, the CM urged the Prime Minister to send vaccine to Puducherry immediately, after it is made available and the Centre should bear the cost for the same.
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