Jolarpet Residents Demand Support for Incense Industry and Agricultural Water Supply

Residents of Jolarpet, a key assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu's Tirupattur district, are demanding government intervention to boost small-scale industries and improve water supply for agriculture. The region is a major hub for incense stick manufacturing, employing approximately 40,000 people, predominantly women, across 550 clusters. Despite producing over 90% of India's incense sticks, the industry suffers from low wages due to unfavorable wholesale pricing and limited export opportunities. Local traders propose establishing a Special Economic Zone near the railway station to facilitate direct global exports. Simultaneously, the agricultural sector faces severe water scarcity. Farmers rely on deep bore wells and the Cauvery Combined Water Supply Scheme, urging authorities to construct check dams on the Palar River and desilt encroached water channels to recharge groundwater. The area also includes Yelagiri Hills, a tourist spot lacking basic civic amenities. These socio-economic issues have become central to the 2026 assembly elections, where incumbent DMK MLA K. Devaraji faces former AIADMK Minister K.C. Veeramani and other candidates, highlighting the intersection of local livelihood concerns and regional political dynamics.