Tamil Nadu Farmers Association petitions Coimbatore Collector to stop illegal red soil smuggling under the pretext of alluvial soil extraction, violating government regulations in various parts of the district.
Coimbatore: Members of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association have submitted a petition to the Coimbatore District Collector, urging action against the smuggling of red soil under the guise of alluvial soil extraction in various parts of the district.
In their petition, the association stated, "During a recent Tamil Nadu Assembly session, the Chief Minister announced that farmers could obtain alluvial soil from water bodies using tractors, with permission from the Tahsildar. This initiative aimed to benefit farmers, deepen water bodies for increased water storage and groundwater recharge, and enhance soil fertility in agricultural lands. Based on this announcement, farmers are being granted permission to extract alluvial soil through online applications, subject to certain conditions."
However, the petition alleges that some individuals, posing as farmers, are illegally extracting and selling large quantities of red soil in various areas of Coimbatore, including Sulur, Perur, Annur, Mettupalayam, Coimbatore North, Madukkarai, Pollachi, and Kinathukadavu, in violation of government regulations. Furthermore, it has been reported that a royalty of Rs. 2,000 per load is being collected for the accumulated red soil, allowing its transportation.
The association has requested that authorities prevent the illegal sale of red soil under the pretext of alluvial soil extraction. They have also called for an inspection of the accumulated soil and the excavated ponds by mineral resource officials and relevant authorities, urging action against those responsible for causing revenue loss to the government.
In an interview with reporters, Palanisamy, the Coimbatore District President of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, stated, "During the recent Assembly session, the Chief Minister announced that farmers could obtain alluvial soil with permission from the Tahsildar. However, some smugglers are extracting, accumulating, and selling red soil in various parts of Coimbatore without proper authorization from the Tahsildar. We demand action against these smugglers operating under the guise of farmers. Alluvial soil should reach genuine farmers, and those acting contrary to government orders should face consequences."
The association's petition highlights the need for stricter monitoring and enforcement to ensure that the government's initiative benefits legitimate farmers while preventing illegal exploitation of soil resources.
In their petition, the association stated, "During a recent Tamil Nadu Assembly session, the Chief Minister announced that farmers could obtain alluvial soil from water bodies using tractors, with permission from the Tahsildar. This initiative aimed to benefit farmers, deepen water bodies for increased water storage and groundwater recharge, and enhance soil fertility in agricultural lands. Based on this announcement, farmers are being granted permission to extract alluvial soil through online applications, subject to certain conditions."
However, the petition alleges that some individuals, posing as farmers, are illegally extracting and selling large quantities of red soil in various areas of Coimbatore, including Sulur, Perur, Annur, Mettupalayam, Coimbatore North, Madukkarai, Pollachi, and Kinathukadavu, in violation of government regulations. Furthermore, it has been reported that a royalty of Rs. 2,000 per load is being collected for the accumulated red soil, allowing its transportation.
The association has requested that authorities prevent the illegal sale of red soil under the pretext of alluvial soil extraction. They have also called for an inspection of the accumulated soil and the excavated ponds by mineral resource officials and relevant authorities, urging action against those responsible for causing revenue loss to the government.
In an interview with reporters, Palanisamy, the Coimbatore District President of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, stated, "During the recent Assembly session, the Chief Minister announced that farmers could obtain alluvial soil with permission from the Tahsildar. However, some smugglers are extracting, accumulating, and selling red soil in various parts of Coimbatore without proper authorization from the Tahsildar. We demand action against these smugglers operating under the guise of farmers. Alluvial soil should reach genuine farmers, and those acting contrary to government orders should face consequences."
The association's petition highlights the need for stricter monitoring and enforcement to ensure that the government's initiative benefits legitimate farmers while preventing illegal exploitation of soil resources.