More farmers oppose new oil-tap contracts in Cauvery delta districts

THANJAVUR: The ‘Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam’ affiliated to the CPI(M) has appealed to the Central government to drop the proposal, if there is any, to extract hydrocarbon in Cauvery delta districts.

In a resolution at its meeting here on Saturday, the Sangam said that it has been reported that the Centre was planning to allow new hydrocarbon projects in Cauvery delta. “Centre is planning to allow hydrocarbon projects in 55 places in India and it is said that in Tamil Nadu, the plan is to take hydrocarbon in three zones i.e. from Marakanam to Kurinjipadi, from Kurinjipadi to Vaideeswarankoil and from Parangipettai to Velankanni. These projects when permitted will destroy Cauvery delta and render it into desert. It is also said that agreement is going to be signed with Vedanta group (Sterlite company) to take gas in some places in the delta. Centre should drop these projects lest the Sangam will mobilise people and agitate against the move,”the resolution said.

Shanmugham, president of the Sangam, Sami Nadarajan, Thanjavur district secretary of the Sangam participated in the meeting. The Sangam, also in another resolution, regretted that water had not reached tail-end areas like Pattukottai, Peravurani and Sethubavachathiram in Thanjavur district. Protesting against this the Sangam had organised agitation at tail-end areas on September 4. Officials had assured that water would reach tail end areas before September 20. "If water does not reach tail-end areas before September 20, agitation will be intensified," the Sangam said.

Mr. P.R. Pandian, coordinator of 'Thamizhaga Anaithu Vivasaya Sangangalin Orunginaippu Kuzhu' also said in a press release that black flag demonstrations will be organised against ministers if water is not released to tail-end areas. 

“A total of 100 tmcft of water has been wasted into sea by letting into Kollidam when there was a surplus. In Cauvery, 30,000 cusecs was released. But water had not reached tail-end areas. People could not take up ‘samba’ cultivation and in places where the crop was raised under direct sowing, the crops are withering for want of water. Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who is holding the PWD portfolio should visit tail-end areas in delta and ensure release of water, lest farmers will be forced to show black flags to ministers,”Pandian said.