Hydrocarbon: DMK stir on Jan 28 across Delta 

An announcement made by DMK president MK Stalin on Wednesday said the protests would be held at the headquarters of Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai and Cuddalore districts on January 28 condemning the anti-farmer activities of the Centre and state. The DMK also demanded that Cauvery Delta be declared protected agricultural zone and withdraw hydrocarbon projects.

Referring to the January 16, 2020, order of the Centre dispensing with environmental clearance and public hearing before commencing hydrocarbon exploration, Stalin said the DMK considers the order as a betrayal, which would jeopardise the livelihood of farmers and turn a fertile delta into parched land.

While Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami wrote to the PM opposing the Centre’s order, his cabinet colleague Karupannan heading the Environment Ministry has written to the same Centre requesting it to permit exploration without public hearing, Stalin alleged, adding that unable to prevent the hydrocarbon project, the AIADMK regime has become an embodiment of contradictions. No other government at the Centre has attempted to permit hydrocarbon projects after destroying farm lands, like the incumbent autocratic BJP regime does, the DMK chief remarked.

“Hence, on behalf of the DMK, a protest would be held at headquarters of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Pudukkottai districts condemning the anti-people and anti-farmer activities of the Centre and state,” Stalin added.