Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Government Withdraws SIPCOT Land Acquisition Notification in Melma
The government planned to acquire land in Melma for an industrial park.
The planned land covered 22.16 hectares.
Farmers in Melma and nearby villages protested the plan.
They said the acquisition would reduce agricultural land.
The acquisition notice was issued on September 1.
The Tiruvannamalai district collector recommended withdrawing it.
On Friday, the government cancelled the notice.
A larger proposed expansion at Cheyyar had also led to a long farmer agitation.
The Tamil Nadu government withdrew notification to acquire 22.16 hectares in Melma village.
The land was intended for Phase III of the SIPCOT Industrial Park.
The notification was issued on September 1 under the Tamil Nadu industrial land acquisition law.
The withdrawal followed a recommendation from the Tiruvannamalai district collector.
Farmers had protested the proposed acquisition, citing the loss of agricultural land.
- Who
- The Tamil Nadu government, the Tiruvannamalai district collector, SIPCOT, and protesting farmers.
- What
- The government withdrew a notification to acquire 22.16 hectares for Phase III of the SIPCOT Industrial Park.
- When
- The notification was issued on September 1 and withdrawn on Friday; the articles do not provide the withdrawal date.
- Where
- Melma village and adjoining villages in Tiruvannamalai district, in connection with the SIPCOT industrial park at Cheyyar.
- Why
- The withdrawal followed the district collector’s recommendation, after farmers protested the loss of agricultural land.
Farmers’ position
Government and project position
Land acquisition
Farmers’ position
Farmers demanded that the proposed acquisition be dropped, saying it would result in the loss of agricultural land.
Government and project position
The government had notified land for Phase III of the SIPCOT Industrial Park, but later withdrew the notification following the district collector’s recommendation.
Response to the agitation
Farmers’ position
Farmers in Melma and nearby villages held sit-ins and other protests and faced arrests and criminal cases, according to the article.
Government and project position
The government’s stated action in the article was to withdraw the specific acquisition notification covering 22.16 hectares.
- Land covered by withdrawn notification
- 22.16 hectares
- Proposed project
- Phase III of the SIPCOT Industrial Park
- Notification date
- September 1
- Legal basis
- Section 3(1) of the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act
- Gazette reference
- Government Gazette No. 369
- Larger proposed acquisition
- Around 3,174 acres for expansion at Cheyyar
- Protest duration
- More than two years, according to the article