1 week ago
Tamil Nadu Government Vows Support for Farmers in NLC Dispute
Farmers in Cuddalore say they have suffered after giving land and homes for NLC projects.
They want fair compensation, rehabilitation and help restoring damaged farmland.
Some lawmakers also raised concerns about groundwater loss and pollution.
They questioned whether local families receive enough jobs or benefits from NLC.
The minister said the government supports the farmers.
She said NLC had built bunds and water channels to protect nearby farmland.
NLC said there had been no recent breaches or collapses after repair work following the 2015 floods.
Another lawmaker disagreed and called for an independent investigation.
The government said it has started a committee and talks involving farmers’ representatives, officials and NLC.
Industries Minister Keerthana said the government would support farmers and the public in disputes involving NLC India Limited.
AIADMK MLA Arulmozhithevan called for a high-level committee to speed up rehabilitation and investigate damage from collapsed mine-spoil mounds.
DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakanth said villages near NLC projects lacked adequate compensation and long-term relief.
PMK MLA Sowmiya Anbumani criticised NLC’s corporate social responsibility spending, recruitment practices, groundwater depletion and environmental damage.
The minister said a dedicated committee and tripartite talks had begun, while Arulmozhithevan disputed NLC’s safety claims and said compensation had stopped after 2019.
- Who
- Cuddalore farmers and agricultural labourers, NLC India Limited, Tamil Nadu Industries Minister Keerthana, and state lawmakers.
- What
- The Assembly discussed land, compensation, rehabilitation, employment and environmental concerns linked to NLC projects.
- Where
- Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, including villages surrounding NLC projects.
- When
- During the Assembly debate; the minister said the government had completed three months in office and begun committee work.
- Why
- Farmers surrendered land and homes for NLC projects and lawmakers alleged inadequate compensation, damaged farmland, groundwater depletion and environmental harm.
Farmers and Critics
Government and NLC Position
Compensation and rehabilitation
Farmers and Critics
Lawmakers said affected farmers and villages had not received adequate long-term relief, and Arulmozhithevan said compensation had not been paid since 2019.
Government and NLC Position
The minister said the government had formed a dedicated committee and started tripartite discussions to address the concerns.
Mine-spoil and farmland safety
Farmers and Critics
Arulmozhithevan said collapsed mine-spoil mounds had damaged agricultural fields and called NLC’s safety explanations misleading.
Government and NLC Position
The minister cited NLC’s claim that no recent breaches, overflows or silt collapses had occurred after mitigation work following the 2015 floods.
Local benefits and environmental impact
Farmers and Critics
Sowmiya Anbumani questioned NLC’s corporate social responsibility spending, external recruitment and the company’s impact on groundwater and the environment.
Government and NLC Position
The government said it would take strict regulatory action if NLC violated rules or acted against public welfare.
Key facts
- Company
- NLC India Limited, referred to in the article as NLCIL and NLC.
- Affected area
- Cuddalore district and surrounding villages.
- Main demands
- Faster rehabilitation, compensation, an independent inquiry and support for affected farmers.
- Employment concern
- Lawmakers said children of land-giving farmers should receive direct jobs or vocational training instead of competing mainly through entrance examinations.
- Environmental concerns
- The debate raised groundwater depletion, agricultural damage and broader environmental degradation.
- NLC safety position
- NLC said protective bunds and water-diversion channels linked to the Paravanar River protect farmland and that no recent breaches, overflows or silt collapses had occurred after mitigation work.
- Government response
- A dedicated committee and tripartite discussions involving local representatives, officials and NLC management were initiated.
Sources
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