Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Urges PM Modi To Revoke Tungsten Mining Rights In Madurai
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Stalin highlighted that the proposed mining zone includes several densely populated villages where residents fear the loss of their livelihoods.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has strongly opposed the Union Government’s decision to award tungsten mining rights in Madurai district and has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and cancel the allocation. Citing ecological concerns and widespread public opposition, Stalin asserted that the state government will not permit mining in the region, which includes a notified bio-diversity heritage site.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Stalin highlighted that one of the areas earmarked for mining, Arittapatti, is a notified bio-diversity heritage site, renowned for its archaeological monuments, including ancient cave temples, Jain sculptures, Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions, and the Pancha Pandavar stone beds. He stressed that mining activities would cause irreparable damage to these sites, jeopardizing their historical and ecological significance.
The proposed mining zone also includes several densely populated villages, such as Kavattayampatti, Ettimangalam, and Narasingampatty, where residents fear the loss of their livelihoods. Stalin pointed out that commercial mining in these areas would severely disrupt local communities and expressed solidarity with the people's protests against the project.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting to cancel the awarding of Tungsten Mining rights in Madurai District pic.twitter.com/Bci2lbduUy
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2024
Stalin said: “This has caused immense anguish to the people, who fear that their livelihood may be lost forever. Hence, the Government of Tamil Nadu would never allow any such mining to be undertaken in these areas."
In his letter, Stalin urged PM Modi to direct the Ministry of Mines to revoke the allocation to Hindustan Zinc Limited and to cease issuing mining bids without obtaining the consent of the respective state governments. "I urge you to instruct the Ministry of Mines to cancel the award of tungsten mining rights given to Hindustan Zinc Limited in Madurai District. I also request you to instruct the Ministry of Mines to desist from floating any bids for mining without the consent of the concerned State Government,” Stalin wrote, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of the affected communities.
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