CHENNAI: Madras High Court directed the State government to consider within four weeks a representation from TN Pottery Workers Sangam seeking to scrap collection of `10,000 seignior fee to quarry clay from lakes. Justice CS Karnan gave the direction, while disposing of a writ petition from the association, on June 27 last.
Originally, a writ petition challenging levy of Rs. 1 lakh for quarrying clay in lakes was filed. The HC granted an injunction till Vinayaka Chathurthi in 2013 and ordered notice. The government then reduced the fee to `10,000. Contending that this fee was also too high for the poor workers, the Sangam sent the representation to the authorities.