District Collector K. Elambahavath said permission was given to take silt and clay from 322 waterbodies in the district for agriculture and pottery.

In a release, he said details about the extraction were published in the district gazette and those about waterbodies uploaded on the e-sevai portal. Instructions were given to all Tahsildars to permit eligible applicants to take the materials by following standard operating procedure.

For agriculture, 75 cubic meter (25 tractor loads) per acre of nanjai land (wetland) and 90 cubic meter (30 tractor loads) for punjai land (dry land) will be provided for free. Similarly, 60 cubic meter (20 tractor loads) for pottery and 30 cubic meter (10 tractor loads) for domestic use will be provided for free, the District Collector said.

Underlining that lorries, tippers or other heavy vehicles should not be used to take the silt and clay, Mr. Elambahavath said farmers or potters should transport silt or clay from permitted waterbodies using tractors at their expense.

Landowners seeking the materials for domestic purposes should not use them for commercial purposes. Officials should send the details of the silt and clay dug out daily to the District Collector. The authorities will fine and launch legal action against beneficiaries who fail to adhere to these conditions.

For seeking permission, the farmers or potters should apply through the nearby e-seva centres with proper documents, he added.