Will take people’s view on all projects: Government

Even while Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had offered to consider the requests of anti-Sterlite expansion and anti-Neutrino project protesters, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar maintained that the state would not take forward anything that people are against.

Jayakumar also noted that the state had submitted its rejoinder to the Union Water Resources Department in reply to the Karnataka’s views against forming the Cauvery Management Board (CMB). 

When asked to spell the state’s stand on Neutrino project for which clearance was accorded by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), the Minister said that the state was committed to the welfare of the people and that it would continue to strive towards the same. 

“The unanimous views that people take and their sentiments are paramount to the state. Therefore, the state would not take any action against the people’s interests,” the Minister said. 

On the expansion of Sterlite Copper plant, Jayakumar reiterated that the state would toe a similar line on this as well. 

“It is pertinent to note that our party’s local district secretary in Thoothukudi had presented a petition to the Collector against the expansion, reflecting the people’s sentiments,” he noted. 

The Minister further blamed DMK working president MK Stalin for his advice to close down Sterlite plant when the latter was the one who allowed its installation in 1996, while noting that only the approval was granted by the then Jayalalithaa regime which preceded the DMK rule. 

“Should Stalin not give such a thought when the company was opened,” the Minister wondered. 

“DMK should not absolve itself of everything just because they are seated in the Opposition and could toss up such posers to the government,” he said. 

When the issue of VK Sasikala’s nephew Vivek Jayaraman not submitting proof required to join the LLB course under NRI quota, the Minister maintained that the law would take its course. 

“We know that forgeries were made by the Mannargudi clan and their misdeeds would land them behind the bars,” the Minister said. 

The Minister reiterated that neither of the actors-turned politicians – Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan can bring about a change as they had been waxing eloquent due to disconnect from the people.