Cyclone Michaung – Farmers in Odisha, Andhra, Telangana left in lurch
What is shocking is the step-motherly treatment meted out to the poor farmers in other affected parts of the country, especially, Odisha and Chhattisgarh
Yesterday, PM Modi announced that the Centre will release about Rs.450 crore immediately to Tamil Nadu to help the state in its restoration and revival works in the aftermath of cyclone Michaung.
He said, “My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their loved ones due to Cyclone Michaung, especially in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry. My prayers are with those injured or affected in the wake of this cyclone. Authorities have been working tirelessly on the ground to assist those affected and will continue their work till the situation fully normalises.”
Tamil Nadu (TN), which has always criticised the country (all states are “North” for those with Dravidian ideology) and boasted about the state being the “richest” in India, has demanded Rs.5,000 crore in flood relief. Following Rajnath Singh’s flood assessment only in Tamil Nadu and a press conference along with the TN CM Stalin, it is likely that the Centre will release more funds soon.
However, what is shocking is the step-motherly treatment meted out to the poor farmers in other affected parts of the country, especially, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
This is due to the location of the affected parts, according to farmers of the region. Some told MDDTimes that these parts have been historically neglected by successive governments both in the Centre and State. In the southern districts of Odisha for example.
Farmers in the region are facing huge losses in paddy and millet harvest due to the cyclone. About 50% harvest is already lost in the last few days of the harvest. And farmers are staring at further losses as mandis aren’t functioning yet and millers are salivating at distress sales by farmers, most of whom have taken loans.
Rice farmers from Southern Odisha told MDDTimes, “All the government officials did was to alert us about the cyclone a few days ago. We farmers already know about such cyclones, but the surprising thing was there was no announcements or field visits by any minister or officials”
“Instead farmers are visiting the Collector’s office daily for help. We are devastated and don’t know what to do. The government isn’t even asking for flood relief funds from the Centre.”
This reminds of appeasement politics seen in the 80s and 90s in Kashmir. Separatism was a huge bargaining block for Kashmir then to extract funds from the Centre. Today, TN seems to be enjoying the same. Constant remarks against India and its culture and religion seems to have scared the Centre. And while the Centre continues to woo the southern state with funds, etc, it is ignoring states that deserve special treatment during natural disaster.
No wonder, the flame of naxalism still burns in the Dandakaranya region.
Send your comments to feedback@mddtimes.com
