Actor’s plea to stop hazardous projects dismissed

The Division Bench Comprising Justice S. Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad which dismissed the PIL said, “Without there being any substantial material inputs the writ petition is filed. The PIL is filed based on reports published in newspapers and cannot form part of the materials to substantiate averments. Except the news items no other substantive material is placed. Mere averments do not stand as test of proof and a person claiming public interest shall not seek any direction as prayed for in the writ petition.”

The actor on referring to various projects that were originally objected by the other states such as Neutrino Project in Bodinaickanur in Theni District, Methane lifting project in Thanjavur District, Sterlite copper industry in Thoothukudi and Atomic energy in Kanniyakumari, said the projects have been thrust on Tamil Nadu and contracts handed over to foreign private sectors.

He further alleged that the Siruvani river water in Coimbatore district was allowed to be lifted by a foreign corporate company for purifying and selling it to public for several thousand crores of rupees under their brand name.

Also, alleging that most of the contracts like laying roads, construction of buildings, water tanks, dams, and laying sewage lines are given to third parties by the State Government who are mostly relatives of the Minister’s and MLA’s of the ruling party, the petitioner said the Public Works Department is functioning in the State for the implementation of the projects but instead these are being handed over to third parties against the provisions of Tender transparency Act.

The petitioner while referring to various schemes including the Golden Quadrilateral project, said everything is implemented only with a view to benefit benamis of the Ministers and MLA’s and sought stoppage of all the Central government projects being done in collaboration with the state Government.