Chennai, May 20 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday chaired a review meeting on permitting farmers to remove silt from water bodies.
A press release from the Secretariat stated that, during the meeting, it was noted that approximately 40,000 tanks and ponds in Tamil Nadu are under the control of the Water Resources, Rural Development, and Panchayat Raj departments.
Ahead of the northeast monsoon, it was decided that the accumulated silt in these water bodies could be provided free of cost to farmers, pottery workers, and individuals for household use.
This measure is expected to increase the storage capacity of the water bodies, the release added.
Officials further stated that farmers and pottery workers should be encouraged
to make use of this opportunity. Under the supervision of the concerned departmental officials, they may remove silt without payment or any ownership fee.
Those who wish to collect the permitted quantity of silt for agricultural or household purposes may apply online through the tnesevai.tn.gov.in portal.
The respective taluk offices will grant permission within ten days of application.
District Collectors have been instructed to implement this scheme effectively.
They have also been asked to publish a district-wise list of tanks and ponds for 2026–2027 in the district gazette and to monitor the programme in accordance with existing rules and guidelines, the release said. PTI SNR SSK
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