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Dry lands, economic deprivation hit agri workers in Cauvery delta

For all agricultural workers in drought-affected villages, employment under MGNREGA is the only main source of income."Delayed payments and less wages (the minimum wage in Tamil Nadu is Rs 203) are major issues.

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Unemployed agricultural labourers are facing drought and slowdown in the industry
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The unemployed agricultural labourers of the Cauvery delta region in Tamil Nadu are facing a double whammy of drought and a slowdown in industry.

With no relief from the state government, these labourers are left in the lurch. The situation is particularly bad in the Cauvery delta districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Pudukottai, Perambalur, Ariyalur and Tiruchirappalli, which comprises one-fourth of the total 96.06 lakh agricultural labourers in the state.

With most of South India reeling under the impact of failed monsoons, the workers who migrate to Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in search of 'greener pastures' have to compete with local peasants. "Most labourers who fail to find jobs in the neighbouring southern states are forced to shift to the north. We are facing the worst ever drought," said P Shanmugam, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam.

However, the worst-affected are the labourers who are employed in the textile industries in Tirupur and Coimbatore. During the post-harvest season, they were left without jobs owing to a rise in raw material prices. Agents of textile companies will soon visit villages in the delta districts to enrol workers to be employed in the textile sector, K Murugaiyan, an agricultural worker in Nagapattinam said, adding that these agents have not visited the region in the past few months.

Even as the textile industry recovered from demonetization blues, the Centre's move to allow the export of raw cotton and yarn has led to a severe shortage of raw materials and a sudden price rise, Tirupur Exporters and Manufacturers Association general secretary GR Senthilvel said. "Agricultural workers always find jobs in the textile sector, particularly, in the knitwear industry as it does not require skilled labour. After the harvest season in January and February, workers would come and work for about three to four months. They leave once agricultural work resumes. Considering the distress in the industry, these workers have no jobs," he said, adding that with the increasing debt burden, workers are forced to take loans from two or three microfinance companies to pay off their loans. "The vicious cycle of taking loans from private lenders will not continue forever. The state government should provide at least a one-time relief for agricultural workers too," he added.

For all agricultural workers in drought-affected villages, employment under MGNREGA is the only main source of income."Delayed payments and less wages (the minimum wage in Tamil Nadu is Rs 203) are major issues.

During a drought-like situation, the government should ensure timely payment of wages," said A Laser, state president, All India Agricultural Workers Union. He added that most familieis live on free rice from ration shops. "For the past few months, rice supply has gone down from 20 kg to 15 kg a family. Instead, 5 kg of wheat is provided. They do not get pulses and oil in February," he said, demanding that the government provide 30 kg of rice to families till the arrival of the northeast monsoon.

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