Industries Minister M.C. Sampath and Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar told the Assembly that the State government would not grant permission for the hydrocarbon project at Neduvasal in Pudukottai district.
“People and farmers need not fear. The State government will not allow the implementation of the project,” Mr. Sampath said while replying to a calling attention motion moved by the DMK and Congress members.
He explained that a proposal seeking permission to explore the project within 10.10 km radius of Neduvasal was pending with the district collector and no decision had been taken so far.
“When the Chief Minister met Prime Minister he also explained people’s apprehensions about the project. People in the area gave up their protest after the Chief Minister promised that the State government would not grant permission,” Mr. Sampath said.
Mr. Vijayabaskar said people in Neduvasal were not protesting against the State government, but wanted the State to put pressure on the Centre.
“When the Chief Minister met the protesters, he made it clear that the State would stand by them and the district administration would not grant mining licence. He also told them that the Pollution Control Board would not grant ‘consent to operate or consent to establish.’ The news was flashed in all media and the protest was given up on March 9,” he said.
Mr. Vijaybaskar said people in Vadakadu and Nallandarpillai village were continuing the protest and Opposition leader M.K. Stalin and Congress leader K.R. Ramasamy met only those who were in that two villages.
Recalling the Chief Minister’s promise at Tiruchi public meeting that the government would never allow the project, the Health Minister, who belonged to Pudukottai district, said the government would put an end to the issue.
Opposition leader M.K. Stalin, however, said the Centre had not taken a clear stand against the project. “The protesters are also meeting me. So the Assembly should adopt a resolution against project on the lines of the one adopted in support of jallikattu,” he demanded.
