Salt manufacturers urge T.N. CM to renew licences
The State also has salt pan lands owned by the Central government. The issue of licence renewal for these is under arbitration
Salt manufacturers in Thirukazhukundram taluk and Kadambadi, situated on lands owned by the State government, have requested Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to renew their licences. Initially, around 3,500 acres were leased for salt production, but currently, about 900 acres are in operation. The land spans a long strip, supporting approximately 150 families.
While officials have been instructed by the Commissioner of Land Administration to renew the licences, delays persist. Vimal, a worker in Kalpakkam, mentioned that the season allows for extra working days, thus increasing their earnings. However, several smaller salt pans in Kovalam and Kelambakkam have ceased operations due to the lack of licence renewal.
These lands have been used for salt manufacturing for decades and cannot be repurposed due to the high saline concentration and monsoon flooding. The non-renewal of licences extends beyond Thirukazhukundram and Kadambadi, affecting similar lands in Ramanathapuram, Nagapattinam, and Thoothukudi. CITU representative Ponraj expressed plans to petition the government to transfer such lands to individual owners, opposing any leasing to MNCs and urging the preservation of smaller lease holders.
The State also manages salt pan lands owned by the Central government, with licence renewals currently under arbitration.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
