Madurai tungsten mining: Happy news on Thursday, says Annamalai indicating scrapping of project
BJP state chief K Annamalai broke the 'happy news' on Wednesday, after a delegation of farmers from the affected areas, accompanied by senior BJP leaders, met with Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy in New Delhi.
BJP state chief K Annamalai; Tungsten mining project
CHENNAI: In a significant development, the contentious 4,000-acre tungsten mining project in Madurai is likely to be scrapped, with the Centre set to announce a decision in favour of the protesting villagers on Thursday.
BJP state chief K Annamalai broke the 'happy news' on Wednesday, after a delegation of farmers from the affected areas, accompanied by senior BJP leaders, met with Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy in New Delhi.
According to Annamalai, Minister Kishan Reddy listened attentively to the grievances of the farmer delegation and assured them that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would always prioritise the interests of the hardworking farmers.
"Reddy also promised that a favourable decision, aligned with the farmers' expectations, would be announced tomorrow," Annamalai told reporters in the national capital.
The tungsten mining project, which has been a bone of contention since its inception, has sparked widespread protests from villagers, who fear that the project would lead to environmental degradation, displacement, and loss of livelihood.
"The Geological Survey of India (GSI) had identified the presence of tungsten in the area in September 2021, following which the Centre had written to the state government. However, the state did not request the Centre to halt the project, paving the way for the private company to take up the project for auction on November 7, 2024," Annamalai claimed.
"The Tamil Nadu BJP has been actively opposing the project, and today's development marks a significant victory for the party and the protesting villagers. We have kept the promise to the people," Annamalai said, adding that Minister Reddy discussed the issue with PM Modi and an announcement would be made by Thursday.
Chief Minister MK Stalin had moved a resolution in the Assembly urging the Centre to revoke the rights awarded to Hindustan Zinc Ltd to mine tungsten in Madurai district and had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
