DMK, govt cross swords over hydrocarbon projects in Tamil Nadu

The issue of hydrocarbon exploration, which has encountered protests from farmers in Tamil Nadu, generated a heated debate in the state assembly involving the ruling AIADMK and opposition DMK even as the government asserted it would not allow such projects. After DMK raised the issue, Minister for Minerals C Ve Shanmugam sought to turn the tables on them, saying a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2011 during the then M Karunanidhi regime for a Coal Bed Methane initiative.

Shanmugam said the government had not granted permission to either explore or produce hydrocarbon so far and was firm on not according sanction for such initiatives in future as well. DMK MLA T R B Raja said the environment and water resources would be affected and such initiatives were being opposed by all sections of people, including environmentalists. Recently, even a human chain protest was held against it, he said.

Speaking on a special call attention motion, Raja claimed a 2016 handbook of the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons spoke of successful implementation of hydrocarbon initiatives in areas, including the Cauvery basin region. The MLA urged that the delta region in Tamil Nadu be declared as a protected special agricultural zone.

Shanmugam said Tamil Nadu has so far not permitted any hydrocarbon-related projects and would not do so in future. Though 13 applications were received for exploration and production (at a later stage) from entities, including ONGC, the government had not given permission to anyone, he said.

He said Hydrocarbon exploration or production initiatives on land fell under the state government's jurisdiction and offshore projects, under the Centre's domain. States still had a say in offshore initiatives since the Coastal Zone Management Authority fell under them, he said, adding steps would be taken to oppose offshore hydrocarbon projects too through the CZMA.

When Shanmugam pointed out that an MoU was signed in 2011 during the previous DMK regime with Great Eastern Energy Corporation Limited for a Coal Bed Methane initiative in Tamil Nadu, Raja opposed it, saying it was only for exploration. Shanmugam said usually exploration was done first and then production and wondered why permission was given to study the project when the state's stand was against any initiatives to do with hydrocarbons and related activities.

DMK deputy leader Duraimurugan said the nod for exploration was distinct from granting permission. The Minister wondered what the need was to hold protest against such projects when both AIADMK and DMK were on the same page in opposing hydrocarbon initiatives.

Even a court had recently asked the need for protests when the government was opposed to it. "Why a human chain protest when there is no permission for even exploration?" he asked. On June 23, a human chain protest was held in Tamil Nadu, in which the DMK also participated.

Leader of the Opposition M K Stalin said the protests were held to condemn the Centre's efforts to implement hydrocarbon projects despite the government clearly stating that it would allow hydrocarbon initiatives. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, a CPI(M) affiliated farmers body, welcomed the government's stand.

It said the Centre was, however, involved in activities like auctioning blocks for exploration of hydrocarbon, methane and shale gas and said the state government should take initiatives to halt such steps. Since Cauvery delta farmers were apprehensive of their landholding being acquired and the entire region going in for desertification, the government should announce the Cauvery delta region as a protected agricultural zone, Sangam's general secretary P Shanmugam said in a statement here.

BJP's state unit said it was confident the Centre would not act against wishes of people of the state on the matter Its general Secretary Vanathi Srinivasan told reporters in Coimbatore that she was sure that any project, including hydrocarbon, will not be implemented in the state by the Centre or State government, if people were opposed to it..