Salem: AIADMK sets condition on farm loan waiver
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday said his party would launch protests if the Tamil Nadu government does not announce a complete waiver of crop loans in the upcoming agriculture budget. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Salem airport.
Referring to the Cauvery water-sharing issue, Palaniswami said that despite a Supreme Court verdict in 2018 requiring Karnataka to release water every month, Tamil Nadu has to struggle each year to secure its share. He urged Chief Minister Vijay to ensure that water is not diverted to Karnataka.
He also criticised Karnataka’s attempt to build the Mekedatu dam, calling it condemnable and warning that it would turn Tamil Nadu into a desert. Palaniswami said he has been insisting that the state government consult farmer associations and political parties, but alleged that the government has not responded.
Pointing to drought conditions and ongoing farmer protests in several districts, he said the government must fulfil its election promise of waiving crop loans in full. He further criticised the Chief Minister for remaining silent on key issues, and alleged administrative lapses behind the power tariff hike, irregularities in government advocate appointments, and loss of medical seats.
