Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) president G.K. Vasan has accused the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu as well as the ruling BJP at the Centre of attempting to ‘impose’ unwanted schemes and projects on people to serve their own interests.

Tamil Nadu has been caught in a spate of protests of late as protests are continuing across the State against NEET exams, Neutrino Research Laboratory in Theni, Sterlite Industries in Tuticorin and against the Centre’s reluctance in setting up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) to ensure fair distribution of Cauvery river water between the States in general and in particular between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Vasan has said in a statement that it was high time that the AIADMK regime in the State as well as the BJP-led regime at the Centre involved in doing things which the people are in need of.  “Instead, it is not at all acceptable that these Governments seem to be hell-bent in imposing their schemes/projects on hapless people to serve their and Corporate companies’ interests.

“I accuse the State and the Centre of imposing many un wa(rra)nted schemes on Tamils in general and farmers in particular.  The Centre is adamant despite Supreme Court stepping in. Methane extraction projection, hydrocarbon extraction project, ONGC pipeline laying, Nutino Lab, Sterlite Industries, etc. are some of the schemes imposed on the State by the Centre with liberation cooperation of the State Govt.

“Agriculture in the State might face the danger of extinction if these projects are allowed; groundwater level would go down drastically, it would get polluted and the environment would be affected very badly, affecting the farmers’ rights to earn their livelihood.  I urge the State and Central Governments to press these projects only after seeking the views of the locals,” Vasan’s statement concluded.