Scrap Private Solar Project In Virudhunagar District, Farmers Tell Govt

Farmers from three villages near Kariyapatti in Virudhunagar district have stepped up their opposition to the contentious private solar power project, alleging that it would affect water catchment areas and adversely impact irrigation in Kovilangulam, Avarampatti and Manavaranthai.

The farmers have been opposing the project for several months, contending that the proposed solar facility on government ‘anadheenam’ land could obstruct the natural flow of rainwater into local tanks and channels. They fear that any loss of catchment areas would affect cultivation and the livelihood of farming families dependent on the local water resources.

The farmers cited a June direction of the Madras High Court in support of their demand for protection of the water bodies. In connection with the dispute, they pointed that the court recorded the undertaking of the company concerned that no solar panels would be installed in Survey Nos. 9, 11, 14, 15 and 16 at Kovilangulam and directed the authorities to ensure that the survey numbers were maintained as water bodies and kept free from encroachment.

Citing the court direction, the farmers are now seeking similar protection for other water catchment areas that they allege would be affected by the proposed project.

Amid the continuing opposition, the Tamil Farmers' Association sought government intervention on Monday, urging the authorities to prevent the project from affecting the water resources of three villages. Association state president O.A. Narayanasamy along with treasurer Subbaraj and Madurai district president Seenivasan met Minister for energy resources and law C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar at the Secretariat in Chennai on Monday and submitted a petition seeking cancellation of the government order permitting the project on government ‘anadheenam’ land, contending that the move was necessary to safeguard the irrigation interests of farmers in the region.

Mr Narayanasamy alleged that the private company granted preliminary approval for the solar project by the previous DMK government despite the strong opposition from the farmers, because of its alleged links with V. Sabareesan, son-in-law of former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

The farmers warned that they would continue their protest to the solar project until the government officially scrap it.