Tamil Nadu govt. asks SEIAA to withdraw clearance for ONGC’s hydrocarbon project, says Thangam Thennarasu

The Tamil Nadu government has advised the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to withdraw the clearance accorded to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for drilling onshore exploratory wells in Ramanathapuram district, Minister for Finance, Environment and Climate Change Thangam Thennarasu said on Sunday.

In a statement, he said the government “would not allow any project relating to hydrocarbon in any part of the State, either now or in the future”. His statement also referred to reports that the SEIAA had granted clearance to ONGC for drilling onshore exploratory wells in Ramanathapuram.

“Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s firm policy position is not to allow any project relating to hydrocarbon in any part of Tamil Nadu, considering the interests of farmers and the general public. So, I categorically state that the Tamil Nadu government would not allow such projects either now or in the future.”

Earlier in the day, Poovulagin Nanbargal issued a statement opposing the clearance granted for the project, terming it an act to deceive farmers. It warned of protests if ONGC went ahead with the project. It also called for support from among the political parties.

AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran also opposed the decision and demanded that the scope of the Tamil Nadu Protected Agricultural Zone Development Act, 2020, be extended.