Wed Feb 19 11:42:45 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu Farmers Demand Revival of Open Storage for Paddy

**TIRUVARUR, February 19, 2025** – Farmers’ associations in Tamil Nadu are urging the state government to reinstate open-space paddy storage, a practice discontinued two years ago by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation. The lack of storage space is causing significant hardship for farmers, particularly with the current simultaneous paddy harvest across the state.

P. R. Pandian, president of the Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations of Tamil Nadu, stated that the current system of stacking paddy at direct purchase centers (DPCs) is leading to overcrowding and delays. He called for the immediate revival of open storage to ensure a smooth procurement process. Additionally, he demanded the filling of vacant Assistant Engineer posts in the Agriculture Department and the expedited distribution of identification cards to lessee farmers.

Separately, Sundara Vimalanathan, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Protection Association, welcomed the ₹498 crore aid package announced for farmers affected by Cyclone Fengal. However, he stressed the need for transparency, requesting the government to publish beneficiary lists with survey numbers on its website and at village offices.

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