TN salt production dips as saltpans slowly vanish from coastline

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Salt production in the state has nose-dived due to acquisition of salt lands for industrial purposes, according to a study ‘Working and Living Conditions of Salt Pan Workers in Tamil Nadu’.



Saltpans are slowly vanishing from the coastline and are replaced by power plants, special economic zones, harbours and various other industries. “The acquisition of saltpans for development projects should be stopped or else it will affect the salt production besides the basic existence of an estimated 50,000 workers across the state,” says R Geetha, the co-ordinator of National Campaign for Unorganised Workers.



Interestingly, both government and private lands are used in salt production. There are no clear records of salt production lands in Tamil Nadu and it is estimated that about 60,000 acres are under production. Out of which more than 19,000 acres are Central Government owned, making Tamil Nadu as one of the biggest government owned land under salt production.



But then the state, which ranked second for salt production in the country, is slowly losing its stranglehold as salt production has dipped from 604 lakh tonnes in 2006 to 508 lakh tonnes till 2009. Interestingly, even the common salt production fell as there was only 16.52 lakh tonnes production in 2008-2009 as against the 20.50 lakh tonnes production in 2006-2007, according to the study quoting government data.



When Express contacted Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation officials, they did not respond.



The acquisition of saltpans for development projects has not only affected the production but also the workers. In Tuticorin, more than 20 development projects, including three power plants, are being lined up near the coastal areas and this will hit about 10,000 workers, says Krishnamurthy, the district secretary of Tamil Nadu Manual Workers Union.





“In Ennore, over 3,000 acres of salt lands have been handed to the state government for thermal power station and special economic zones resulting in loss of livelihoods of salt workers,” the study added.



Even the saltpan workers are denied basic amenities and the welfare schemes hardly reach them. The number of beneficiaries under state’s various welfare schemes is inadequate. “Under the Namak Mazdoor Awaas Yojana, about 5,000 workers throughout India are being included and under the Child Reward Scheme, only 100 workers throughout India (including 20 in Tamil Nadu) are included,” the study added.