Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Protest On Severe Employee Shortage & Unused Machinery Mandate

In Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu, Cooperative Societies employees rallied for their rights, calling for vacant positions to be filled and an end to the mandatory purchase of idle machinery, such as harvesters, drones, and vehicles, accumulating on society premises.

The protest highlighted the severe employee shortage, with only 7,000 workers in place of the required 18,000 across the state. This has led to many of the 4,500 societies, including 4,350 Primary Agriculture Cooperative Credit Societies, operating without qualified secretaries.

The protesters also alleged that the government is forcing them to purchase certain agricultural equipment, such as harvesters, drones, and load vehicles, under the infrastructure fund for the multipurpose service centers in all the societies. However, they said that this equipment is not being used and is lying idle on the premises. This imposes an extra monthly financial burden of Rs 50,000 per society.

Also Read:- Mahindra & Escorts Tractor Sales Dip Amid Monsoon Woes, Hope for Festive Rebound

Kaliyamurthy, district president of the Cooperative Societies Employees Union, warned that if their demands remain unmet, employees may resort to extended leave, potentially impacting the distribution of vital farm resources. He appealed to the government to stop forcing them to purchase this equipment and to fill the vacant positions.

Also Read:-IIT Mandi to Offer Free Drone Pilot Training for Agricultural Sector

The protesters have threatened to intensify their protest by availing long leave if their demands are not met. This would certainly affect the distribution of fertilizers and other farm requirements. The government has not yet responded to the protesters' demands.

Also Read:- Bihar Agricultural University Launches Startup Incubator to Boost Agro-Based Innovation