Farmers shocked at renewed bid to acquire 129 acres of land of Regional Agricultural Research Centre at Kovilankulam

After having promised of dropping the proposal, again letter sent for acquiring “untilised” parcels of land

Farmers of Virudhunagar district have expressed shock over Virudhunagar district administration’s renewed attempt to acquire 129 acres of land belonging to Regional Agricultural Research Centre at Kovilankulam near here for setting up SIPCOT industrial park.

When the revenue officials first sent a proposal to the acquire the land of the agricultural research centre, farmers had vehemently oppposed the proposal in March 2025.

“This centre has been carrying out research on dryland crops meant for southern districts. It was also coordinating with agricultural colleges, horticulture colleges and other research centres and it had been upgraded as Coordination Centre of Regional Research and Extension Advisory Council of South Zone for training and skill development schemes of the Central government,” said Virudhunagar president of Cauvery Vaigai Gundar Kiruthumal Irrigation Farmers’ Federation, R. Rampandian said.

“However, within the next few days, the Collector, V.P. Jeyaseelan, announced that the proposal to acquire the land of the agricultural centre had been dropped by the district administration during the farmers’ grievances redress meeting held on March 21,” he added.

Even as the farmers heaved a sigh of relief, Aruppukottai Tahsildar, Senthilvel, on June 11 has written to the Professor of Regional Agricultural Research Centre at Kovilankulam, seeking details of the land parcels which had been put to use by the centre and those left unutilised.

“Even the Special District Revenue Officer (Land Acqusition) had given in writing that no communication or Government Order had been received for the land acquisition in April. But, now the Tahsildar has sent a detailed letter with references of the letter of Managing Director of SIPCOT on the land acqusition,” Mr. Rampandian said.

“Even as all the officials of the district administration have been giving false information orally and in writing to the farmers, they had been steathily taking up the work for land acqusition,” he charged.

The farmers association said that acquiring the land of the agricultural research centre was not just a betrayal for the people of Virudhunagar, but for the farmers of the entire southern region. It was set up by the former Chief Minister, M.G. Ramachandran, when when was elected as MLA from Arupukottai constituency.