Palani to be made a district if DMK returns to power: Sakkarapani

Exuding confidence of DMK’s victory in the ensuing Assembly election, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies R. Sakkarapani in an informal conversation talks of various plans he has chalked out.

From 2021, there has been much talk about creating Palani as a separate district. But after DMK came to power, the proposal seems to have been put on the backburner. Any reason for that?

To carve out Palani as a new district, various administrative decisions had to be taken and it needed time. But after the elections, if we assume office, this announcement will be made. It will be a reality.

What are the steps that have been taken to improve infrastructure so that post-harvest losses are reduced in paddy procurement?

I have seen to it that all warehouses have been improved. The focus has been on delta region and new warehouses have been built, and the existing infrastructure has been buttressed. Ten new warehouses have been built across the State. All these initiatives will significantly reduce post-harvest losses and improve supply chain for farmers. In 2024-25, we have achieved record paddy production of approximately 47.99 lakh tonnes. This proves that acreage under paddy has increased and post-harvest loss reduced. Our monthly allocation of paddy from the Food Corporation of India pool is about 2.97 lakh tonnes, but our monthly consumption comes to around 3.63 lakh tonnes and this deficit is fully borne by the State.

Gloriosa superba, the medicinal plant which has immense export potential, is one of the major crops being grown in the region. Why is it that farmers are unable to break the middlemen nexus and get the due price for it?

This medicinal plant comes under the Ayush Ministry. For long, traders from the north were fixing the price and procuring it. The price also fluctuates, and now it is being sold for ₹5,000 per kg. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will be taking steps and in the next term we are hopeful that the Centre will announce a minimum support price for the produce. Around 5,000 hectares in the State is under Gloriosa superba cultivation, and we have plans for setting up a Farmer Producer Organisation. This will aid them in getting necessary guidance and access for export.

What are the other infrastructure on the anvil for your constituency (Oddanchathiram)?

I am focusing on bringing an agro-based industry here and the CM’s announcement that a world-class moringa processing industry will be established in Markampatti at a cost of ₹7 crore has given a much-needed fillip to my plans. More projects based on agriculture will soon be rolled out.

Work under the Cauvery Combined Drinking Water Supply Scheme is going on in full swing and many hamlets have already been linked under it. Steps are being taken to establish a new sewage channel within the municipal limits at a cost of ₹17 crore. For the vegetable market, ₹4 crore has been allotted to erect awnings, and it will help retail vendors and also consumers. Making Pachalur dam and Nanganjiyar dam as tourist spots is also in the works.

How has this term been with respect to your constituency?

This term has been very satisfying. Numerous students from Kalaignar Centenary Training Centre that I established at Kalanjippatti have successfully cleared various government exams. The spoken English classes that I launched for government school students have been a tremendous success, and now I have extended the project for middle school students too. Increasing the green cover in the district has been close to my heart. The Miyawaki forest on 117 acres in Idayakottai, with over 6.40 lakh trees, has had a huge impact. Dindigul district has seen inadequate rainfall this season. So my endeavour in the coming term is to increase the green cover and help increase the groundwater table in the region.

On elections and TVK’s impact?

We are confident of victory as our schemes, especially for women, have been well appreciated. Many States have also emulated our schemes. True, Edappadi has promised ₹2,000 for women. But we must remember that during the AIADMK’s tenure, cell phones were promised to all SHG women and free bus travel to people above 60 years, but none of the schemes was implemented in totality. The TVK has still not seen how we function. Close to the voting day, DMK and AIADMK cadres have always launched a full-fledged campaign that touches the grass-roots, and it will be very difficult for the TVK to follow suit.