Hydrocarbon: Minister says Centre will not implement project

Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan today said the Centre will not implement any project that may be inimical to the farmers' interests and ONGC said it has nothing to do wiht the project.
"I would like to clarify that the Centre will not be prepared to go ahead with any project not liked by the people and which could cause losses to the farmers," he told reporters at Hosur.
In the wake of continuing protests against the proposed hydrocarbon extraction project in Tamil Nadu and claims made by a section of protestors and media linking ONGC to such initiatives, the top PSU denied any links to the Neduvasal project.

"ONGC is not an awardee under DSF (Discovered Small Field) 2016 in the state of Tamil Nadu," it said.
"ONGC is also reiterating its position that no activities relating to Shale Gas or Coal Bed Methane (CBM) have been undertaken in Tamil Nadu and there is no such plan," it said in a press release.
"Some misunderstandings are being created in the minds of Cauvery delta villagers that ONGC's operations will adversely affect agriculture."

It said, for more than 50 years ONGC has been working in Cauvery Delta area and no adverse effects have taken place in agriculture.
In places where there were temporary unavoidable damages to crops, it had "promptly undertaken remedial measures and paid compensation."

"We sincerely appeal to the people of Tamil Nadu in general, and Delta Districts in particular, to be not misled by rumours and misinformation."
Stating that its exploratory efforts over 50 years in Tamil Nadu resulted in establishment of 31 oil and gas fields that produces 840 tons of oil per day and about 28 lakh cubic meters of natural gas per day, it said all its operations were benchmarked with the best global practices vis-a-vis health, safety and environment protection parameters.
Out of the gas produced in the State, 17 lakh SCMD (Standard cubic meters per day) of natural gas is being given to TNEB for the power generation of 750 MW in Ramnathapuram.

"This in turn leads to overall development of the region including industrial growth and generation of employment opportunities."
During the last five financial years, ONGC has contributed to Tamil Nadu's exchequer a total of Rs 1816.43 Crore as royalty and VAT/Sales Tax and has spent Rs 20 crore on CSR activities in its operational areas in the State.