Tamil Nadu: Chief Minister Stalin Writes To PM Modi Opposing Auction Of 3 Coal Blocks In State; PMK Had Opposed Expansion Of Neyveli Lignite’s Mining Operations Earlier

Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing the auction of three coal blocks in the state, i.e., Vadaseri, East of Sethiathope and Michaelpatti.

He said that while Vadaseri and East of Sethiathope fall within the zone that comes under the Tamil Nadu Protected Agriculture Zone Development Act, 2020, Michaelpatti is a major paddy growing area.

Further, he said that the Ministry of Coal had neither got the concurrence of the state government nor did it consult the state government before issuing the notification.

He added that coal bed methane gas extraction which the ministry plans to allow is under the list of activities barred under the Act.

According to the Act, a number of industrial activities like exploration, drilling and extraction of oil and natural gas including coal-bed methane, shale gas and other similar hydrocarbons, zinc smelter, copper smelter, iron ore process plant are not allowed in the zone.

The Protected Zone covers the districts of Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts and some blocks of Cuddalore and Pudukkottai districts.

This comes after the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK)'s opposition to the expansion of mining projects in Cuddalore district by the Neyveli Lignite Corporation on grounds of they being harmful to agriculture and lack of proper compensation.

The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken steps like meeting the affected villagers and submitting their grievances to company officials and Union Coal minister Pralhad Joshi.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu: PMK Protests Against Neyveli Lignite Corporation’s Land Acquisition For Mine Expansion