The Tamil Nadu government has directed the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (TNSEIAA) to withdraw the clearance earlier granted to ONGC for hydrocarbon exploration in Ramanathapuram district. The decision comes in response to widespread protests and strong opposition from fishermen and political parties.
The TNSEIAA had previously cleared ONGC’s proposal to drill 20 wells for hydrocarbon exploration in the district. However, State Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, who also holds the Environment, Climate Change, and Forests portfolio, reiterated that such projects would not be permitted in Tamil Nadu.
“The firm policy of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is not to allow any hydrocarbon-related projects anywhere in Tamil Nadu. Hence, the state government will never permit such projects even in the future,” Thennarasu said in an official statement.
