CHENNAI: The State government on Tuesday ruled out taking any policy decision against hydrocarbon projects, as the law clearly empowers it to stop such projects and warned of criminal action against those starting hydrocarbon project without the government’s consent.
“There’s provision in law to act against such projects. As per rule, no hydrocarbon projects can be commenced without the permission from the State government. The law is clear and is in our favour,” Law Minister C.Ve. Shanmugam told the Assembly on Tuesday. Responding to the issue raised by leader of the opposition and DMK president M. K. Stalin, Mr. Shanmugam questioned the need for a policy decision against hydrocarbon projects when the law clearly empowered the government to act against such initiatives.
“No project can come up without the State government’s permission and it had the legal authority to even initiate criminal action if projects were still taken up,” he asserted.
Raising the issue, Mr. Stalin urged the AIADMK government to take a policy decision on not to allow hydrocarbon exploration in the State. He said a tense situation is prevailing in the delta region owing to the proposed move to establish the hydrocarbon projects. He cited Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pra-dhan’s reply in the Parliament that agreements have been signed with two parties for hydrocarbon projects in Tamil Nadu and a total of seven projects have been allocated for the state.
Recalling an earlier assurance by the Law Minister that sanction will not be given for hydrocarbon projects, Mr. Stalin said TN should take a policy decision as the House is in session now.
Replying, Mr. Shanmugam said the State government would not permit projects that would affect farmers. He pointed out that former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa had set up a panel to look into similar issues like methane exploration and later rejected such initiatives based on the recommendations of the committee. “A similar measure will be followed by the government,” he said indicating that a panel is likely to be set up. “M Edappadi K. Palaniswami will be consulted on the matter,” he added.
Indicated setting up of an expert committee to go into the pros and cons of such projects in the State. As per the new Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy, blocks were auctioned and MoUs signed with successful entities. Though such entities may enter into an agreement with the Centre, it is compulsory to get the approval of the State government for either exploration or production of hydrocarbon (on land) in TN. Though the State has received applications from firms who have entered into MoU with the Centre, it has not communicated any decision on such applications, the Minister said. On protests, he said the government cannot own up responsibility for it.
