Lively debate over getting Centre’s nod for delta agri zone

During Question Hour, Electricity Minister P Thangamani sought to know why the DMK, which was part of the Centre and in power in the state then, did not take steps to declare Cauvery region as a protected agricultural zone. He also said Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, being a farmer himself, has declared Cauvery Delta region as special zone.Responding, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and former PWD minister Duraimurugan, while welcoming it, said “if the AIADMK government had adopted a resolution against Coal-bed methane project in the House and then announced Cauvery Delta region as protected special agricultural zone, we (the DMK ) would have wholeheartedly welcomed it.” Seeking to know why the state government did not bring in a resolution in this regard, he also wanted the government to adopt a resolution that Vedanta and other companies would not be allowed to take up oil exploration works in the Delta region.

Countering him, Chief Minister Palaniswami said, “you had criticised the AIADMK, when it had 37 MPs in Lok Sabha of scratching their seats. But what you (DMK now has 37 MPs) are doing now...you have more number of MPs and you can get the Centre’s nod for it.”“You say you are the third largest party in Lok Sabha, why don’t you do it,” the Chief Minister asked to which Duraimurugan said, “you made the announcement that Cauvery Delta region will be made a protected zone, but want our (DMK) MPs to get the Centre’s nod.”“We are at loggerheads with the Centre and you (AIADMK) are having cordial relations with them,” he said, hinting that the AIADMK should get permission from the Centre.