Thoothukudi wraps up salt season with over 17 lakh tonnes of production, higher than last year

As the northeast monsoon rolls in, the salt production in Thoothukudi district has come to an end for the current season. Producers have reported that over 17 lakh tonnes of salt has been produced this year, which is comparatively higher than the last season.

With around 22,000 acres of salt pans sprawling across various parts of the district including Thoothukudi, Muthaiahpuram, Mullakadu, Vembar and Arumuganeri, the industry provides employment to nearly 50,000 workers both directly and indirectly. The region produces around 25 lakh tonnes of salt every year on an average. However, this quantity has been disrupted in the past few years due to unusual rainfall and change in climatic conditions.

Though this year’s production started in May, usually which starts by January-February, favourable weather conditions have helped to achieve a production of over 17 lakh tonnes, this year.

M.P. Dileep, a salt manufacturer from Thoothukudi said, “By September the district had achieved around 15 lakh tonnes of production and by the end of season the production had reached over 17 lakh tonnes.”

He added that the output was almost close to the district’s annual average, which is remarkably higher than last year’s production.

Speaking on the salt from Gujarat being sold in Tamil Nadu, he noted it has even started to capture Tamil Nadu’s market, especially through price due to its low cost of production. “As the salt production season has begun in Gujarat, we will have to wait for few months before concluding whether large quantities of salt have stagnated in Thoothukudi,” noted Mr. Dileep.

With the season coming to end, the salt pan workers will be provided with monthly relief of ₹5,000 per family announced by the state government during the off-season months.

In Thoothukudi district, 12,748 beneficiaries will be provided with a monthly relief fund, M. Krishnamoorthy, state president, Tamil Nadu Manual Workers Association, said.

As currently only one member from a family is being provided with the relief fund, he urged that the government to extend the benefit to both members, if they are working in salt pans.