Won't implement any scheme inimical to farmers' interests: CM

The Tamil Nadu government today urged those opposing a proposed hydrocarbon extraction and exploration project in Pudukottai district to withdraw their over-a-week-long stir, saying it will not implement any scheme which is inimical to the interests of farmers.
During his meeting with village representatives from Neduvasal here, Chief Minister EK Palaniswami said the government will not implement any project which is inimical to the interests of farmers, an official release said.
"The Chief Minister assured the representatives that the state government, which is functioning on the lines of Amma (former CM J Jayalalithaa), will not implement any project inimical to farmers' interests. He told the representatives from Neduvasal to accept this assurance and withdraw their stir," it added.

The villagers of Neduvasal are up in arms against the proposed hydrocarbon project of the Centre. They have been protesting for more than a week with support from many sections, including students.
Palaniswami also told the village representatives that he had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting on Monday.
The representatives earlier told the chief minister that agriculture had been affected in their village due to an inadequate supply of Cauvery water and expressed fear that the hydrocarbon scheme would add to their woes, the release said.

Later, speaking to reporters, they said the "leakage" of a greasy substance in some wells in a nearby village had come to their notice and expressed apprehensions.

The state government had yesterday said it had not given any approval to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to take up a hydrocarbon project at Neduvasal, and clarified that decisions inimical to public interest will not be taken.
(Reopns MDS2)
Meanwhile, the South Indian Artistes' Association (Nadigar Sangam) extended its support to the protesters at Neduvasal and wanted the project to be scrapped.
"Though it augurs well for the nation and its growth, the project is not acceptable for the fact that it will destroy farmlands," a statement from SIAA said.
Even if implemented, such projects should be done so after getting the local people's approval by explaining it to them, it said.

(Reopens mes6)
Meanwhile, 30 persons, majority of them students, were arrested in Coimbatore today, when they attempted to stage a demonstration seeking immediate scrapping of the project.
Some students and people assembled before the District Court Complex and raised slogans against the project, police said.
As they attempted to squat in the middle of the road, all of them were arrested, police said.