Distress in the saltpans

• Chef Koushik S., known as the ‘Mad Chef’, advises using salt from a height during cooking to ensure even distribution.

• Salt contributes to the taste of sweets and cakes, enhancing the flavor and sparkle of food.

• As of 2021-22, Tamil Nadu produced 23.93 lakh tonnes of sea salt on land owned by Central and State governments and private owners.

• The right combination of sun and seawater produces the best quality sea salt or crystal salt.

• Unseasonal rain and heavy downpours during monsoons have severely affected the salt industry, with salt manufacturers still unable to harvest the first superior-quality salt of the year.

• Salt from the State used to be supplied to various industries, but due to competition from Gujarat’s salt manufacturers, those in Tamil Nadu limit their reach to Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

• Unseasonal rain has severely affected the livelihoods of salt pan workers, who have no alternative employment due to years of working on the pans in the sun and carrying heavy loads.

• The government should take salt cultivation under the Agriculture Department, as salt cultivation depends on the vagaries of nature.

• Manufacturers demand that salt cultivation be considered an agricultural practice, and the Tamil Nadu government should extend free power for farming to the salt industry.

• Workers unions urge for Employee State Insurance hospitals and an increase in compensation for workers.

Salt Production Reduction in Tamil Nadu

• The Central government’s decision to not renew leases and disband the Union Salt Department has led to a significant reduction in salt production in the State.

• Ten proposals were received for the transfer of salt land, including 372.60 acres in Nagapattinam, Kayalpattinam, Arumuganeri, Kulasekarapattinam, Neidavasal, and Tharangambadi for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

• Small manufacturers have left the industry, with only four remaining in the area.

• The total production from Central government-owned land in the country fell from 7% to 4.95% between 2013-14 and 2021-22.

• An industry expert estimates that around 40% of the salt produced in the State comes from Central government land.

• The Manu Bhai Shah Committee of 1958 suggested uniform lease rents and longer periods of lease to promote long-term investment and increase production.

• A 2013 resolution marked a policy shift, with the government deciding against lease renewal for the current lessees.

• The assignment fee increased from ₹10 per tonne/acre/year to ₹100 per tonne, subject to a minimum production per acre with an increase of 10% every three years.

• The government has informed the Centre that it is willing to take over the land for which leases have expired.