Farmers demand adequate compensation for the affected at the grievances day meeting Expressing deep disappointment over the inability of officials to stem the pollution rot plaguing rivers in the district, farmers demanded permanent steps to end pollution in water bodies and sought adequate compensation for affected farmers. Raising their voice at the farmers' grievances day meet held here on Wednesday, sections of farmers took officials to task for obliterating questions and petitions submitted by farmers for discussions, and thereby effectively stifling their voice. Removal of dyeing units Enraged over the pollution affecting fivers Noyyal and Cauvery, farmers led by D.Rajamanikkam of Narikattuvalasu wanted the district administration to remove the dyeing units polluting the environment. ‘We appreciate the initiative of the government, but lot more needs to be done to end the pollution menace and the compensation paid to affected farmers has not been reasonable. That's why we are emphasising on the need to prevent further pollution,' he said. Industrial discharge Farmers and public from Puliyur decried the industrial pollution caused by the discharge from dyeing units along the banks of River Amaravathy and its irrigation channels. `We have been pleading the case for several years now but the officials are yet to react positively. Mere words are not enough and we want concrete action ,' they said. District Administration and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) should monitor the situation periodically and root out the practice of letting out untreated effluents, they urged. P.Ponnusamy, a farmer from Vadakkupalayam, expressed concern over the deteriorating agricultural activities in Amaravathy belt due to pollution. Another farmer V.K.Thangavel of Sanapiratti wanted the government and the TNPCB to find alternatives to chemical dyes by replacing them with organic dyes and natural dyes. Clear sludge He also wanted officials to expeditiously clear the mounds of sludge generated at the effluent treatment plants that were vitiating the atmosphere. TNPCB officials conceded that (Total Dissolved Solids) TDS levels at certain points along River Cauvery were high and abnormal. Certain issues were pending disposal before courts and there were legal impediments in shutting down polluting units. Zero discharge has been our aim but we need time to achieve it, officials claimed. District Collector V.Shobhana detailed the steps taken by the administration to end pollution menace and help farmers get adequate compensation. Action assured Ms.Shobhana said that wherever industrial pollution was detected efforts would be made to stem them. Adequate funds would be apportioned for taking up desilting works, she added. District Revenue Officer T.Christhuraj, Joint Director of Agriculture K.Jagadeesan, Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies Jayam Pandian and Special Officer of Tiruchi District Central Cooperative Bank Rajendra Prasad were among those present.