Madras High Court notice to state on farmers' plea

Chennai: The Madras high court has ordered notice to the state government on a plea from farmer association, Ramanathapuram district, challenging the state government from setting up of “800 x 2 MW Uppoor Power Plant” in fertile lands in the district.

In the petition, Anaithu Vivasayigal Paadhukappu Nala Sangam, represented by its president R. Karunanithi, Naganenthal, Uppoor, Ramanathapuram district, submitted that the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (Tangedco) proposed to set up the plant and engaged in acquiring the land violating the high court directions.

He said the state government bent upon destroying huge tracts of fertile agricultural lands by destroying their source of water supply from channels in Thirupalaikudi, Valamavoor, Uppoor in Naganendal in Ramnad District.
The action in acquiring 543.36.5 of hectares of land and filling up water bodies to construct a power plant would seriously affect agricultural lands and their water bodies. Besides affecting the livelihood of over one lakh people in 38 villages, the move would also destroy four major and 37 small tanks in the district.

Senior counsel for the petitioner, P. Wilson said the secretary to government, energy department, state government a GO dated January 21, 2014, permitting “Classification of Lands to the extent of 389.67.5 hectares of patta lands” and permitted the transfer of government lands of 153.69.0 acres in Thirupalaikudi, Valamavoor, Uppoor in Naganaenthal villages for establishment of the Upper Thermal Power Plant. The plant would be constructed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited.

Wilson said several agitation conducted by villagers had not evoked any response. The district collector has been terrorising the farmers through the superintendent of police, who went to the extent of threatening ‘to shoot’ the protesting villagers and foist cases against them under the Goondas Act. The petitioner sought the court to prevent the establishment of the power plant and pass an interim injunction to stall the work.

A division bench comprising Justices M. Sathyanarayanan and N. Seshasayee, before which the matter came up for hearing, has ordered notice to the government and authorities.