Pudukottai sources have stated that by terming the hydrocarbon exploration and extraction project at Neduvasal as a threat to the livelihood of farmers, the People’s Welfare Front (PWF) on Tuesday sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to shelve the project immediately.
To press their demand, the constituents of PWF the CPI (M), the CPI and the VCK have staged a demonstration at Alangudi. Meanwhile when speaking at the protest, CPI (M) state secretary G. Ramakrishnan had said that it was unfortunate that the Centre had given permission to a private company without consulting the State government. “Moreover, it was mandatory for the governments to consult stakeholders and conduct public hearings before deciding on major projects. However, this has not been done with regard to the hydrocarbon project".
He had said that the project had been planned on fertile land and would pose a threat to farmers’ livelihood, adding that if it was not shelved immediately, the PWF would launch a movement by organizing massive protests.
Meanwhile when pointing out that Neduvasal was part of the delta region, R. Mutharasan, the State secretary of the CPI, said that the Central government had not considered the livelihood aspect of farmers before deciding on the project. Meanwhile, Environment Minister K.C. Karupanan stated that the State government would take an ‘appropriate decision’ on the Neduvasal hydrocarbon project.
