Fri May 30 17:56:31 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the text provided:

**Summary:**

A farmers’ grievance redress meeting was held in Madurai, India, presided over by Collector M.S. Sangeetha. Farmers raised concerns about the need to release water from the Mullaperiyar dam for irrigation, desilt and deepen waterbodies, and remove encroachments from water sources. They also requested action against the invasive Prosopis juliflora trees and compensation for crop losses due to pest infestation. The Collector instructed relevant officials to address these issues, including surveying waterbodies, initiating auctions of the invasive trees, and investigating crop losses.

**News Article:**

**Madurai Farmers Voice Concerns Over Water Scarcity, Pest Infestation at Grievance Meeting**

**Madurai, May 30, 2025** – A farmers’ grievance redress meeting was held at the Madurai Collectorate today, where local farmers voiced pressing concerns over water scarcity, encroachments on water bodies, and crop damage due to pest infestation. The meeting was presided over by Collector M.S. Sangeetha.

Key issues raised included the urgent need for the release of water from the Mullaperiyar dam to irrigate the crucial “double crop” region. Farmers also emphasized the critical importance of desilting and deepening existing water bodies to enhance water storage capacity, further highlighting the problem of illegal encroachments obstructing these vital water sources. They urged authorities to conduct comprehensive surveys to delineate the exact boundaries of waterbodies and remove encroachments accordingly.

The invasive Prosopis juliflora trees (“seemai karuvelam”), which consume significant amounts of water, were also a point of contention. Farmers requested their removal from waterbodies. Collector Sangeetha directed officials to assess the situation and initiate auctions for the removal of the invasive species.

Crop losses due to pest infestation and diseases were another major concern. Farmers demanded appropriate compensation for the damage incurred. The Collector assured them that the officials would investigate the extent of the damage.

Collector Sangeetha assured the farmers that all concerns would be addressed and instructed relevant departments to take immediate action, including initiating surveys, auctioning off invasive trees, and assessing crop loss claims. The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by farmers in the region and the importance of timely government intervention.

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