Mon Jan 27 14:21:37 UTC 2025: ## Ramanathapuram Villagers Protest Merger with Municipality
**Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, January 27, 2025** – Residents of Peravoor village staged a protest on Monday, submitting a petition to District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahloon against the proposed merger of their panchayat with the Ramanathapuram municipality. The villagers, primarily dependent on agriculture, fear the merger will cut off their access to crucial benefits, particularly employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Peravoor relies heavily on MGNREGS workers for agricultural labor due to manpower shortages and a reluctance among villagers to work in the fields. With over 200 acres of farmland, the villagers argue that the loss of MGNREGS support would severely impact their livelihoods. They contend that their panchayat status is essential to maintain their access to this vital employment program.
First Piper 