Centre Cancels Tamil Nadu Tungsten Mining Project. CM Stalin, Oppn Welcome Move

The cancellation of Tungsten mining project comes after widespread protests from locals and political parties, who cited environmental concerns and disruptions to the livelihoods of the people. 

The people of Melur celebrated the Centre's decision by distributing sweets.

Source : PTI

The Centre annulled the Tungsten mining project in Nayakkarpatti, Madurai district, on Thursday. As soon as the announcement was made public, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, state Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami, TN BJP chief Annamalai among other hailed the move. Stalin claimed that the Centre's decision was a victory for people's sentiments and the state government's firm opposition to the initiative.

The cancellation of Tungsten mining project comes after widespread protests from locals and political parties, who cited environmental concerns and disruptions to the livelihoods of the people in the region. 

Taking to X, Tamil Nadu CM Stalin said: "I have firmly stated that as long as I am the Chief Minister, no mine will be built #Tungsten ! We passed a unanimous resolution in the Legislative Assembly! The Union Government has bowed to the sentiments of the people and the determination of the State Government! From now on, the Union government should not issue such mining auction notifications without the consent of the state government; the AIADMK should not support laws against state rights!"

 

நான் முதலமைச்சராக இருக்கும்வரை, என்னை மீறி #Tungsten சுரங்கம் அமையாது என்று உறுதிபடத் தெரிவித்தேன்!

சட்டப்பேரவையில் ஒருமனதாகத் தீர்மானம் நிறைவேற்றினோம்! மக்களின் உணர்வுக்கும், மாநில அரசின் உறுதிக்கும் ஒன்றிய அரசு பணிந்துள்ளது!

இனி, மாநில அரசின் இசைவு பெறாமல் இத்தகைய சுரங்க ஏல… https://t.co/yvNjTEXnfp

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) January 23, 2025

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami welcomed the Centre's decision, attributing it to the relentless efforts of AIADMK members and the residents of Melur. "This is a victory for the people of Melur's unwavering struggle," he said on X.

"The protests on the ground and the assembly members wearing masks with the words " #டங்ஸ்டன்தடுப்போம் , " #மேலூர்காப்போம் " and opposing the the tungsten mine and the initiatives by @AIADMKOfficial in the assembly with evidence to expose the drama of DMK in order to get justice for the people of Melur in this matter, are a great victory," he added.

BJP Tamil Nadu state president K Annamalai also commended the move. Posting on 'X' (formerly Twitter), Annamalai expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for responding to the concerns of the local populace and cancelling the auction.