Panel to look into farmers' complaints on GAIL TN project

The Centre has set up a committee consisting of members from the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), farmers' group and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation to look into the complaints of the farmers related to the land acquisition for the proposed GAIL gas pipeline project in the state.

Speaking to the reporters here, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry EM Sudarsana Natchiappan said a committee has been formed to visit the dissenting farmers from the areas falling under the project besides looking into the land for which GAIL has received consent from the land owners.

The Madras high court on Monday gave its nod for GAIL to go-ahead with the project and asked the state government to provide adequate support for the project.

"The decision of the court was on the policy of the government and we welcome it. But we don't think the order was a criticism on the state government."

The Centre felt the momentum of industrial growth in the northern parts of the state, for instance Coimbatore, should not be blocked. The gas pipeline could help the industry here to grow better, he added.

The Madras high court on Monday allowed a petition filed by GAIL against a stay order from the state government against the pipeline project.

The state has stopped the works and asked GAIL to realign the pipelines along the sides of the National Highway, based on protest from the farmers who alleged the project was destroying their fertile agriculture land.

On chief minister J Jayalalithaa attributing power shortage in the state to the central government agencies , Natchiappan said the Centre was ready to support the state to meet its demand.