Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said he would take a decision on the Rs 2,500 crore project, which is being opposed by allies and opposition parties alike citing threat to farmers' livelihood, after eliciting views of the public.
Though the project was aimed at the development of Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts in the south, certain people were attempting to create an impression that the public were against it, he said in a statement here.
Karunanidhi said he would depute some ministers and senior officials to those areas to conduct a public survey in the presence of mediapersons. "Based on their report, I will take a decision on the project," he added.
He also expressed regret that efforts were being made to create an impression that the government was acting in favour of the Tata Group.
Decision to stall project victory for AIADMK: Jaya
AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa today said the Tamil Nadu government's decision to stall the Tata Group's proposed titanium di-oxide project in the state was a great victory to her party.
"We've once again proved that AIADMK, whether it is in power or out of power, will always be in favour of the people," the former Chief Minister, who yesterday announced that she would lead a massive agitation against the project, said in a statement here.
Though the previous AIADMK government signed an MoU with the Tata Group to undertake a techno-commercial feasibility study, the project was dropped after it was found that it would affect the livelihood of people and pollute the environment, she said.
The AIADMK supremo noted that Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's announcement on stalling the project had come a day after her statement opposing it and said " it is a victory for the AIADMK and also to the mental strength of people and farmers in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts."