DMK prez raises hydrocarbon issue again

Raising the issue, opposition leader MK Stalin recalled the recent call attention move mooted by the opposition seeking a final policy decision. “Our MLAs have already spoken on the subject and the Ministers assured that the hydrocarbon project will not be allowed. But protests are continuing in delta region. At this juncture, to allay the fear among farmers, the state should come forward to take a policy decision,” Stalin demanded.

Responding to it, Law Minister CVe Shanmugam said that the Centre has given the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy to a contractor and the contracting firm has begun some survey, but this is a state subject. Without the state consent this project cannot take off. Till date the state had not granted permission to either explore or produce hydrocarbon, but with the Centre giving the nod there is an apprehension among farmers.

The Minister pointed out that the state will not allow both the land and off shore extraction of hydrocarbon. The state is clear in objecting the project, then why there is a need for a policy decision, the Minister noted.