Fri Sep 26 12:54:40 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewrite of the provided text as a news article:

**Summary:**

The Tirunelveli District Collector, R. Sukumar, addressed farmer grievances at a monthly meeting. Key points included: 5,000 tonnes of paddy procured since January, an increase in cultivated land despite rainfall deficits, concerns about illegal paddy procurement, a need to address a bridge obstructing water flow to certain areas, appeals for GST exemption on farm equipment, digitization of farmer holdings for welfare assistance, progress in desilting irrigation channels, expediting silt removal permissions, and urging farmers to utilize crop insurance and available loans.

**News Article:**

**Tirunelveli Farmers’ Concerns Addressed at Grievance Meeting; Collector Highlights Paddy Procurement, Irrigation Efforts**

**TIRUNELVELI, Sept. 26, 2025** – Tirunelveli District Collector R. Sukumar addressed a range of concerns raised by local farmers during the monthly grievances redress meeting held on Friday. The meeting focused on procurement, irrigation, financial assistance, and infrastructure issues affecting the agricultural community.

Sukumar reported that 5,000 tonnes of paddy have been procured through 36 direct procurement centers in the district since January. He also highlighted a 212-hectare increase in cultivated land compared to the same period last year, despite rainfall deficits, attributing this success to healthy dam storage levels.

Farmers raised concerns about an illegal paddy procurement center and potential water diversion issues due to an old bridge obstructing floodwater flow to crucial irrigation channels. Mr. Murugan, Vice-President of Nainarkulam Farmers’ Association, called for an investigation into alleged illegal procurement. Coordinator Maha Pauldurai urged for the demolition of a bridge impeding water flow. The collector responded by ordering officials to inspect the bridge and arrange for its demolition.

Other appeals included a request for GST exemption on farm equipment and the removal of encroachments in Chinthankulam near Thuraiyoor. The Collector also urged farmers to digitize their land records to avail themselves of Union Government welfare schemes, noting that only 27,638 PM Kisan and 12,981 other farmers have done so thus far.

Significant progress has been made in desilting irrigation channels, with 53.45 km of main channels and 30.21 km of distribution channels in the Tamirabharani Basin cleared. Collector Sukumar also stated that 2,372 farmers have been granted permission to remove silt from 755 irrigation tanks, while remaining applications are under review.

Acknowledging low participation, the Collector encouraged farmers to insure their paddy and plantain crops under the current fiscal programs. He also highlighted the availability of crop loans, totaling ₹4,318.41 crore, and cattle rearing loans of ₹17.50 crore.

The District Revenue Officer M. Suganya was also present during the meeting.

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