17 September 2007
Special Correspondent
The Hindu
Promises to take it up with Chief Minister
CUDDALORE: Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss has promised to take up with Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi the possibility of displacement of Nochikadu and Thiagavalli panchayat residents by the proposed 1,320-MW private power project.
He also called for the withdrawal of cases foisted on those who voiced opposition to the project during a public hearing conducted here recently.
Dr Ramadoss visited Nochikadu near here on Sunday to ascertain the views of residents of at least a dozen hamlets. The project is being promoted by Cuddalore Power Company (CPC), for which the process for acquiring 1,200 acres of land is under way.
The residents said they would not accept the compensation offered by the CPC and would desist any attempt to acquire their land.
A section of women said they stay back at their places, come any number of tsunamis. They were apprehensive that the project would cause irreparable damage to environment and health.
Dr. Ramadoss said he had come to hear their views on behalf of the newly-floated ‘Tamil Nadu Uzhavar Periyakkam’.
The Land Acquisition Act 1894, which was later amended in 1974, was a colonial legacy, and was being invoked all over the country. The ‘Periyakkam’ was opposed to it. Industries and power projects should be set up at places where the people would not be affected.