MADURAI: Farmers have opposed the removal of the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Agriculture Department for converting agricultural land under the Tamil Nadu Change of Land Use Rules, 2017, stating that the move could result in large-scale conversion of agricultural land for commercial and industrial purposes.
According to sources, the Tamil Nadu government amended the Tamil Nadu Change of Land Use (From Agriculture to Non-agricultural Purposes in Non-planning Areas) Rules, 2017, a few days ago, removing the mandatory requirement for approval and NOC from the Agriculture Department for converting agricultural land for industrial projects.
Speaking to TNIE, Southern Districts Farmers’ Association general secretary M Arjunan said the change would indirectly affect the farming sector and lead to a significant reduction in agricultural land within a few months.
“Though top officials may claim that proper procedures will be followed, the ground-level reality is different. Local influential persons could influence officials to convert agricultural land for commercial purposes. Besides, this rule is baseless when top officials are claiming that more land is needed for industrial development. For example, Sivagangai SIDCO Industrial Estate is located in Maruthu Pandiyar Nagar in Sivaganga, but unfortunately, industrial units have occupied only a portion of the land, while the rest has remained vacant for many years,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Farmers Association (Dindigul) secretary M Ramasamy said, “This is dangerous. Any non-agricultural land can be converted into agricultural land; it is simple. There are plenty of methods to make unfertile soil fertile and productive using organic and ecological restoration methods. But instead of opting for such methods, they are pushing land for commercial use,” he said.
He added that removing the clause also indicated that the Agriculture Department was reluctant to approve changes in land classification.
However, Commissioner and Director of the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) Kiran Gurrala said farmers need not worry about the change in rules, as it applies to dry land that has not been used for cultivation for three years.
“Though the NOC from the Agriculture Department has been removed, revenue officials will inspect the land and verify the records before conversion. Most importantly, we will also check satellite images of the particular land for three to five years before permitting such conversion,” he said.
