An agricultural belt plagued by unfair trade practices at DPCs, lack of storage facilities

India’s complex democratic system, which held its first general election 75 years ago, has gradually matured and evolved over the past decades while striving to maintain its federal balance. Meanwhile, there was a small town in Tamil Nadu that had its own electoral system, bearing similarities to the present-day democracy, dating back to the 10^th century. The Kudavolai system in Uthiramerur, despite its flaws, seems to be perhaps one of the first experiments to establish local governance.

This constituency, with an electorate of 2.43 lakh, comprises predominantly farmers, agricultural workers and labourers. Early on, the constituency, which stood as a stronghold of AIADMK during the first three terms, then saw a constant shift in power between DMK and AIADMK until 2016. Uthiramerur has been a DMK bastion for the past two Assembly elections. The constituency covers a vast area including Palayaseevaram, Sathananchery, Thirumukkudal, Salavakkam, Arumbuliyur, Marudham, Thirupulivanam, Melpakkam and Athiyur.

From issues related to unfair trade practices at direct procurement centres to a lack of adequate facilities to store their produce, farmers of this constituency have been grappling with several issues.

G. Thirunavukkarasu, farmer in Maruthuvambadi panchayat, says, there are 73 panchayats in Uthiramerur witnessing high paddy cultivation that is almost on a par with the delta region. Through Direct Procurement Centres, the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation is procuring the paddy. However, he alleged, middlemen involved in paddy procurement indulge in unfair trade practices. “This way, they are denying us fair prices for our produce,” he adds. Further, he demanded that the Public Works Department desilt the water channels that branch off from Thirupulivanam and Uthiramerur lakes, which are being fed by the River Cheyyar. Farmers here feel that this will ensure sufficient water for irrigation. Many benefits and schemes have been rolled out by the government, but it is unfortunate that it doesn’t reach farmers, he adds.

A Dhanapal, president of Tamizhaga Sugarcane Farmers Association, secretary of Foundation for Organic Agriculture, echoes these issues and adds that there should be permanent storage warehouses to safely store the produce. During the monsoon, there is a need to have mechanical grain dryers for the crops, he adds.

A view of Vaikunda Perumal Temple in Uthiramerur village on Sunday. The temple is known for the inscriptions indicating the democratic practices of electing representatives for the village bodies during the regime of Parantaka Chola (907–955 CE).
| Photo Credit:
VELANKANNI RAJ B

Since agriculture is the backbone here, the government should make future plans to increase groundwater levels and also implement the long-term plan to link Palar and Thenpennai rivers, he adds. “The government should seriously consider adding check dams every five kilometres for the Palar River,” he adds.

The area also witnesses high sugarcane cultivation. “Nearly 25 percent of the sugarcane cultivated here goes to sugar mills. But one of our major concerns is that wild boars are damaging all the sugarcane crops hiding behind them. The government should take some steps to resolve this issue,” he adds.

Another key concern for residents here is to commute from the villages to Uthiramerur town. Not only is the bus terminus at the town is small and unable to accommodate as many buses, but there exists a dire need to improve bus connectivity,

For instance, Mr Dhanapal says, to travel to Uthimerur from Sathananchery, there aren’t enough buses. “It is easier to reach Chengalpet than to travel to Uthiramerur. We need to take a bus to Chengalpet to reach Uthiramerur. This is a long detour. Be it to go to a taluk office or the agriculture department, we have to travel often to Uthiramerur, and it has been inconvenient,” he adds.

Some of the families in this constituency have also been struggling without a patta for a few years now. Saroja R, an 85-year-old resident of Sathananchery, says, “The government gave us the land in 2022, but we have been trying to get a patta for the last three years. Without this, we won’t get an electricity connection. Currently, left with no choice, with the help of a neighbour, we receive power from a line from a nearby temple. He pays the bill for us, in a bid to help, as we are all poor. Though we have submitted several petitions to the government, we haven’t been able to receive patta yet.”

Ms Saroja says, some of the labourers here forego their daily wages and travel to the Uthiramerur taluk office requesting a patta, yet it is frustrating that they haven’t got it after so many attempts for years now. 

DMK MLA K. Sundar says action will soon be taken to provide these residents with patta, and also says he is cognisant of some of the issues of the farmers and assured to take steps as well. “Only a handful of families are yet to receive patta, and they will get it in June. But hundreds of families in this constituency have already got them,” he adds.

Be it new buildings for schools, measures to build bridges, mini stadium, storm water drains, Industrial Training Institutes, bus stops, community halls or road development work, Mr Sundar says, many initiatives have been taken. 

Published – April 03, 2026 12:57 am IST