Karuna suggests conciliatory approach on GAIL pipeline issue

Suggesting a conciliatory approach on the GAIL pipeline issue, DMK today suggested that talks could be held between the company and affected farmers to bring a solution to the issue.

Party chief M Karunanidhi said instead of taking the legal route, both sides must hold discussions so that "farmers are not affected and that their welfare is ensured."

He was responding to reporters' queries whether he was for appealing against a Madras High Court verdict allowing GAIL to lay pipelines in farmlands.

The Madras High Court had on November 25 quashed a state government order restraining implementation of Kochi-Mangalore gas pipeline project passing through agricultural lands in seven districts of Tamil Nadu.

Asked about Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's allegation that non-performance of Central generating units was the reason for the load-shedding situation in Tamil Nadu, he recalled Jayalalithaa had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the matter.

"After the Prime Minister's response is received, and getting details of that, I will react," he said.