Spare Delta from EIA changes, CM urges Modi

In a letter to the Prime Minister, he said the Ministry concerned have now issued an amendment to the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, for exploration drilling in respect of on-shore and off-shore oil and gas, vide notification stating that “All projects in respect of off-shore and on-shore oil and gas development and production except exploration are categorised under category A” and “All project in respect of off-shore and on-shore oil and gas exploration are categorized as ‘B2’ projects.

Stating that as per the said EIA Notification, B2 projects shall not require public consultations, Palaniswami said he had written to Minister of State, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, highlighting the strong opposition to hydrocarbon extraction projects in the Delta area, the imperative need for adequate consultations with stakeholders and to ensure that the interest of farmers are fully safeguarded.

“Projects involving exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons have faced strong resistance from farmers and activists and other stakeholders in Tamil Nadu,” he said adding “since most of these projects are situated in the Cauvery Delta districts, which is ecologically a fragile zone, but a very fertile region and rice bowl of the state, the opposition to these projects has been emotive and intense.

Claiming that it was very essential to take the people and all stakeholders along while implementing these projects so that their co-operation and involvement are ensured, he said, “the present notification goes against this spirit.”