Residents of Panaiyankurichi in Tamil Nadu have staged a dharna demanding the shutdown of four stone quarries that are contaminating groundwater and harming health. They also pressed for immediate payment of pending paddy dues from the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF).

Key Takeaways

  • Farmers call for closure of four stone quarries near Panaiyankurichi
  • Demand immediate release of pending paddy payments from NCCF
  • Quarry blasts have lowered water tables and triggered health crises

In a petition submitted on Monday to District Collector Anand Mohan, residents of Panaiyankurichi village in Ambasamudram taluk asked for the cancellation of licenses granted to four stone quarries operating near their homes.

The villagers explained that daily high‑intensity blasts are cracking houses, contaminating bore‑well water with explosive chemicals, and destroying rural roads. Groundwater levels have plunged beyond 600 feet, crippling agriculture that relies on rainwater and deep wells.

More than 350 villagers are now receiving treatment for respiratory ailments caused by dust and toxic fumes from the quarries. The petitioners, led by N. Paramaraj and S.P. Mariappan, urged the collector to act swiftly.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that unchecked quarrying not only jeopardizes rural livelihoods but also threatens regional groundwater sustainability, a critical issue for Tamil Nadu’s agrarian economy.

"The combined impact on water quality and air health could trigger long‑term socioeconomic instability," says environmental scientist Dr. Ravi Narayanan.

Farmers also protested the delayed payment of paddy sold to the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF). Farmer D. Abraham, who sold 7.5 tonnes of paddy nine months ago, is still awaiting roughly ₹1.86 lakh. He warned that if dues are not cleared, a larger sit‑in will be staged at the Manur taluk office on August 3.

Did You Know?: A 2019 study found that similar quarry activities in the district caused a 30% drop in groundwater levels within two years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the quarry licenses be revoked quickly?

A: The district administration can cancel licenses based on an Environmental Impact Assessment, but the legal process often takes several weeks.

Q: When will the pending paddy payments be released?

A: NCCF has pledged to settle all dues within the next two weeks, though farmers remain cautious.