Meet on Tamil Nadu, Puducherry hydrocarbon projects in Delhi on March 21: Union Minister

Replying to repeated queries from AIADMK members, including R Vanaroja on the issue, the minister informed about the Tuesday meeting in the Lok Sabha.  He further said “I am inviting all of you to come. There is no contradiction between farmer’s interest and development.” He assured the House during the Question Hour that oil exploration work in Tamil Nadu would not pose any environmental hazard or harm the livelihood of local farmers. 

The Minister said the concerns expressed during the recent protests in Neduvasal and Karaikal were misplaced and that the oil and gas exploration and production at all domestic small fields will be as per established practices only. 

The government is taking all necessary steps to ensure “self-sufficiency” in oil and hydro carbon production in the country even as all necessary steps are being taken to ensure that there is no environmental hazard due to such operations, he informed the Lok Sabha. 

The statement is related to controversies arising out of the two recently awarded contract areas: Karaikal in Puducherry and Neduvasal in Tamil Nadu. In the past few weeks, concerns have been raised over the impact of proposed activities in these areas on agriculture and soil conditions.