For digging borewells in Sirumalai, clearance by Mines Dept. mandatory, farmers told

For digging borewells in Sirumalai, clearance by Mines Dept. Mandatory, farmers informed Published – August 21, 2026 09: 39 pm IST – DINDIGUL.

Key points

• Collector Durgamoorthi receiving petitions from farmers at the grievance redress session held at Dindigul Collectorate on Friday.
• According to A farmer Maheswaran from Nilakottai, public coming to Anaipatti to perform special pujas on Ammavasai left their clothes.
• The monthly farmers' grievance redress session was held at the Dindigul District Collectorate.
• The farmers from Sirumalai demanded an explanation from the authorities as they were not allowed to dig borewells in their habitations.
• On receipt of the application, the Mines Department authorities shall inspect the field for geological feasibility.

Collector Durgamoorthi receiving petitions from farmers at the grievance redress session held at Dindigul Collectorate on Friday. Photo Credit: KARTHIKEYAN G.

For context, a majority of the farmers from Sirumalai were in for a shock when the authorities categorically stated that borewells should be dug in the hills only after clearance from Mines Department on Friday.

For context, the monthly farmers' grievance redress session was held at the Dindigul District Collectorate. Collector Durgamoorthi chaired the session. Senior authorities from Agriculture, Mines, Forest, Revenue and Rural Development, WRD and PWD participated.

Meanwhile, the farmers from Sirumalai demanded an explanation from the authorities as they were not allowed to dig borewells in their habitations. Intervening, the Collector remarked that the farmers need not be apprehensive concerning the action. In the larger public interest, such decisions were being created by the administration.

On receipt of the application, the Mines Department authorities shall inspect the field for geological feasibility. Once, they were satisfied, the NOC (no objection certificate) would be issued. Hence, she appealed to the farmers to cooperate.

Nevertheless, the farmers stated that in the absence of rainwater and non-availability of waterbodies, the only way for them to create water source was to have borewells. The district administration should reconsider the move and not impose such restrictions as around 9, 500 acres in Sirumalai that raised various crops including plantain, lemon, coffee and among others.

According to The farmers additionally, even they were unable to hire JCBs or bulldozers as the authorities did not allow them to enter the ghat section. When the farmers were in dire straits due to multiple reasons and volatile weather conditions, such non cooperation from the official machinery only continued more difficulties, "At a time. The El Nino effect and non-friendly eco-system had led to plants withering in plenty of locations. The standing crops required copious water and the authorities seemed not to be worried concerning the loss, " they charged.

While assuring that there would not be any delay or any harassment, sought the cooperation of the farmers, nevertheless, the Collector. "We are here to help you, " the authorities from the Mines department stated.

When a farmer from R. According to Combai village, the waterbodies were filled with karuvelam trees, the Collector stated that she would obtain the grievance redressed, but wanted the farmers from the village to provide her a promise that the children would be sent to the schools as the turnout was far from satisfactory.

According to A farmer Maheswaran from Nilakottai, public coming to Anaipatti to perform special pujas on Ammavasai left their clothes. Consequently, the Vaigai was polluted. The river was filled with old clothes and other materials. This should be halted and the residents should be sensitised, he appealed.

For now, for digging borewells in Sirumalai, clearance by Mines Dept. Mandatory, farmers told remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.