Residents of Naranamangalam village in the district raised strong objections to the proposed 50 MW coal-based captive power plant of MRF Limited at a public hearing held here on Wednesday.
The people of the village complained over absence of adequate advance information and publicity about public hearing and “non-inclusion of all villages” in the environmental impact assessment report. Narikuravas, who constitute the majority of local population, voiced serious concern over the proposed plant.
The Narikuravas said that they had settled down in the village about six decades ago thanks to the rehabilitation package implemented under the then composite Tiruchi district. In fact, their residential colony had been christened after the then Collector Malayappan testifying to the change in their nomadic lifestyle. At a time when their lifestyle was changing for the better, the power plant project would affect their settlement.
Representatives of Narikuravas and elected representatives submitted a petition to P. Madhusudhan Reddy, Sub-Collector, to declare the hearing null and void as adequate publicity was not made.
R. Subramanian, state president of Tamil Nadu Narikuravas Kootamaippu, M. N. Raja, former municipal chairman and farmers’ representatives, said illiterate Narikuravas should not be exploited. Mr. Raja urged officials to assess the socio-economic impact of the project.
Many people complained that Perambalur district was reeling under acute drinking water crisis and the proposed daily supply of 381 kilo litres of water by the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board to the power plant was a mockery.
“TWAD Board cannot take up the responsibility of supplying water for the industries,” said Tamizhagan, State organiser of Thanneer Urimai Kootamaippu.
Educated young Narikuravas said that an MRF tyre manufacturing unit already started in this district had not generated the promised employment opportunities.
In a power point presentation, the MRF executives said the project comprised two units of 25 MW each on 11 acres of land. Four electrostatic precipitators would be installed to check environmental pollution.
Mr. Reddy assured the people that all their objections would be carefully recorded and their views conveyed to the government. The hearing had been organised adhering to stipulated procedures. As for omission of a few villages, a re-survey would be suggested, he said.
