Stalin questions EPS silence on hydrocarbon projects

Referring to the reported agreement reached between the Centre and the ONGC to extract hydrocarbon from deep sea along Tamil Nadu coast, Stalin said that permission was given to extract hydrocarbon from six blocks in Cauvery basin alone and that for the first time from deep sea.

Alleging that hydrocarbon projects were being imposed in the deep sea after sanctioning such projects in land affecting cultivation, the DMK president said the project has been permitted not just in one or two kilometers, but an area spread across 4,000 sq kms.

“AIADMK Ministers from the Cauvery delta region have not ended their silence on the hydrocarbon projects which affect fishermen, farmers and all people. Not even the Chief Minister or the Tamil Nadu government has not said anything (on the project),” Stalin said, addressing cadre in Nagapattinam through video call.

Appealing to his cadre to gear up for the ensuing Assembly polls to send the incumbent AIADMK regime home, Stalin said, “Government tenders are being obtained through benamis. Otherwise, they are awarding tenders to brothers and relatives. Chief Minister is awarding his department tenders to his relatives.”