Won’t allow Neduvasal project: Edappadi K Palanisamy tells protesters

The 10-member delegation requested the State government to help the farmers whose livelihood would be affected if the project was allowed to commence. 

Stating that the area at the tail-end of the Cauvery river depended on groundwater for their farming needs, the delegation impressed on the Chief Minister not to sanction permission for the project as farming in and around the area would be affected. 

Palanisamy appealed to the people of Neduvasal to give up their ongoing protest against the hydrocarbon project as he had assured them that the Tamil Nadu government would not accord sanction for the petroleum tunnel for the project now that locals had expressed their outright opposition to it. He also told them that the State government would not accept or sanction any project which went against the interests of farmers. 

Those present at the interaction included Industries Minister MC Sampath, Health Minister C Vijayabaskar, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidhyanathan, Finance Secretary K Shanmugam, Mines Director R Palanisamy and Industries Secretary Vikram Kapur.  

Talking to reporters after a detailed meeting with the Chief Minister at the State Secretariat, Struggle Committee Convenor C Velu said Palanisamy had assured them that the State government will not give its approval for the commencement of the project. 

‘’We are happy with the assurances given by the Chief Minister. We will convey this to the protesters in the village following which a decision on whether to continue with the 14-day long stir or not, will be taken’’, he added