The Tamil Nadu Farmers Protection Association has submitted two separate representations to the TVK-led government, seeking amendments to a policy that permits actions detrimental to the environment and the withdrawal of another policy that indirectly encourages illegal mining activities in the state.
Demand to Amend Waste Dumping Policy
In a petition addressed to Natural Resources Minister T K Prabhu, the association's state secretary, R. Sathish Kumar, sought amendment of Government Order (Ms.) No. 23 dated February 23, 2022, particularly clause IV-A 35-F(3)(L), which permits abandoned quarry pits to be used for dumping solid waste. The petition was submitted to the minister on Friday.
Sathish stated that several local bodies were misusing the provision to dump unsegregated municipal waste in abandoned quarries without scientific safeguards. This practice has led to groundwater contamination, air pollution, destruction of rainwater harvesting structures, and health hazards for nearby residents. He emphasized that many abandoned quarries naturally function as groundwater recharge zones, and their conversion into garbage dumping sites could permanently damage water resources.
The association argued that the clause was inconsistent with the Solid Waste Management Rules, the Environment Protection Act, and constitutional provisions relating to environmental protection and public health. It urged the government to prohibit the dumping of unsegregated waste in quarry pits and implement strict scientific waste management practices.
Call to Withdraw Illegal Mining Regularization Order
In a separate representation, the association demanded the withdrawal of Government Order (Ms.) No. 03 dated January 22, 2026, which relates to the regularization of illegal mining activities. The petition claimed that the order would indirectly encourage illegal quarrying, corruption, environmental destruction, and misuse of explosives.
The representation stated that the penalties proposed under the scheme were disproportionately low compared to the environmental and revenue losses caused by illegal mining. The association called for the formation of a special monitoring committee and a fast-track tribunal to investigate illegal mining complaints, recover environmental compensation, and prosecute offenders under mining, environmental, and explosives laws.
