Fri Nov 22 17:30:01 UTC 2024: ## Madurai Farmers Voice Concerns Over Quarrying, Compensation at Grievance Meeting
**Madurai, Tamil Nadu, November 22, 2024** – Farmers in Madurai district voiced several concerns at a grievance redressal meeting held on Friday with Collector M.S. Sangeetha. Key issues included indiscriminate stone quarrying, particularly in Kalligudi, causing health problems for residents due to blasting activities. Farmers demanded immediate action to stop the quarrying.
Addressing concerns about potential tungsten mining near Arittapatti, the Collector assured farmers that no permission had been granted, citing the area’s status as a biodiversity heritage site.
Further complaints centered on inadequate compensation for land acquired for road expansion projects, encroachments on water bodies and agricultural lands (including water channels from Yanaimalai hill and Kalikappan tank), and compensation for crop losses and livestock injuries. Farmers also requested the installation of a portrait of Colonel John Pennycuick, the engineer behind the Mullaperiyar dam, in the meeting hall, a request the authorities agreed to.
First Piper 