CM Approves Free Silt Removal from Water Bodies for Farmers, Potters Ahead of Monsoon

PRESS RELEASE Review meeting chaired by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru C. Joseph Vijay on permitting removal of silt from water bodies for the benefit of farmers. A review meeting on permitting removal of silt from water bodies for the benefit of farmers was held today (20.05.2026) at the Secretariat, chaired by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru C. Joseph Vijay. It was noted at the meeting that around 40,000 lakes and ponds in Tamil Nadu are under the control of the Water Resources Department and the Rural Development and Panchayats Department, and that removing the silt deposited in these water bodies before the onset of the North-East Monsoon and providing it free of cost to farmers, potters, and individuals for household use would help increase the storage capacity of these water bodies. It was further stated that farmers and potters should make use of this opportunity, and that farmers and potters may remove silt free of charge and without any licence fee, under the supervision of the concerned department officials. At the meeting, it was noted that farmers, potters and individuals wishing to remove permitted quantities of silt for household use may register and apply through the website tnesevai.tn.gov.in. Permission will be granted by the concerned Tahsildars within 10 days of application. To enable District Collectors to implement this scheme effectively, they were requested to publish the list of lakes and ponds for the year 2026-2027 in the district-level gazette, and were instructed to monitor the scheme in accordance with the applicable rules and guidelines. The meeting was attended by Hon'ble Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources Thiru N. Anand, Hon'ble Minister for Finance Thiru K.A. Sengottaiyan, Chief Secretary Dr. Mu. Saikumar, IAS, Water Resources Department Principal Secretary Thiru Sathyabrata Sahoo, IAS, Public Works Department Principal Secretary Thiru Sunjonkam Tak Siru, IAS, Rural Development and Panchayats Department Secretary Thiru Prashant Mu. Vadanera, IAS, Revenue and Disaster Management Department Secretary Dr. K.Su. Palanisamy, IAS, Director of Geology and Mining Thiru T. Mohan, IAS, and senior government officials. Issued by: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9