Hydrocarbon: Min appeals to protesters to give up agitation

Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan today appealed to protesters opposing proposed hydrocarbon project in this district to give up their stir, assuring to facilitate talks with the Centre to convey their concerns.
Addressing the protesters at Neduvasal, the scene of the more than three-weeks long agitation against the exploration project, he said he would facilitate a meeting with Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan next week to break the jinx.
"It is my appeal. Please give up your protest. I will facilitate a meeting and you express your views, you then take a decision," he said.
The Minister said he will reflect their views and aspirations to the Centre.

He, however, said he was not "forcing" anything and added that people should ponder over the matter.
Residents of Neduvasal village and nearby areas have been protesting against the project citing concerns over its impact on agriculture despite the state government's assurance that it will not implement any scheme inimical to the farmers' interests.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami has twice appealed to the protesters to end the agitation, but they are insisting on an announcement by the Centre on scrapping of the project.
On February 15, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved award of contracts in 31 contract areas of discovered small oil and gas fields including Neduvasal.

Seeking to allay the fears of protesters, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas last month said strict environmental norms will be followed during the proposed oil and gas exploration and production.