Tamil Nadu salt producers seek government intervention for lease renewals

Salt producers in Tamil Nadu, specifically in the Thirukazhukundram taluk and Kadambadi areas, are appealing to Chief Minister Vijay for intervention regarding the renewal of government land leases. The delay in renewing these leases for salt pans threatens the livelihoods of hundreds of families dependent on this traditional industry.

While the Land Administration Commissioner had previously instructed district collectors to proceed with renewals, administrative delays have caused uncertainty. In some areas, production has already shrunk from 3,500 acres to just 900 acres, and several small salt pans in Kovalam and Kelambakkam have already closed due to expired leases.

The issue extends beyond Kalpakkam to the Ramanathapuram, Nagapattinam, and Thoothukudi districts. In Thoothukudi, trade unions are planning to demand that the state government grant land rights to individual operators currently working the land, expressing concern that salt pans could instead be leased to multinational corporations.