Won't implement any scheme inimical to farmers' interests: TN CM Palaniswami

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government today urged those opposing a proposed hydrocarbon extraction and exploration project in Pudukottai district to withdraw their over-a-week-long stir, saying it will not implement any scheme which is inimical to the interests of farmers.

During his meeting with village representatives from Neduvasal here, Chief Minister EK Palaniswami said the government will not implement any project which is inimical to the interests of farmers, an official release said.

"The Chief Minister assured the representatives that the state government, which is functioning on the lines of Amma (former CM J Jayalalithaa), will not implement any project inimical to farmers' interests. He told the representatives from Neduvasal to accept this assurance and withdraw their stir," it added.

The villagers of Neduvasal are up in arms against the proposed hydrocarbon project of the Centre. They have been protesting for more than a week with support from many sections, including students.

Palaniswami also told the village representatives that he had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting on Monday.

The representatives earlier told the chief minister that agriculture had been affected in their village due to an inadequate supply of Cauvery water and expressed fear that the hydrocarbon scheme would add to their woes, the release said.

Later, speaking to reporters, they said the "leakage" of a greasy substance in some wells in a nearby village had come to their notice and expressed apprehensions.

The state government had yesterday said it had not given any approval to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to take up a hydrocarbon project at Neduvasal, and clarified that decisions inimical to public interest will not be taken.

"So far, we have not given approval to take up any project like that. Only during commercial production, they (ONGC) will come seeking any approval," Environment Minister KC Karuppannan had said yesterday.