Public hearing meeting on Port devlp a 'drama' : Anbazhagan

Puducherry, Feb 15 (UNI) The public hearing on the development of Port here convened by the environment, science and technology department yesterday, was a 'drama' enacted by the territorial administration, AIADMK state secretary A Anbazhagan, MLA, alleged today.

When the Union Environment Ministry headed by minister A Raja of the DMK had already given the clearance for the port development project without eliciting the views of the people of Puducherry, then what was the purpose of convening a meeting, he wondered,, addressing a press conference here.

Mr Anbazhagan said he along with a few legislators who went to attend the meeting were informed by some participants that the meeting had been cancelled due to some legal problems.

As the meeting was fixed about two months back, was the government not aware of the legal problems then, he asked.

The AIADMK leader said he would inform the stand of the party whether it was supporting or opposing the port development in the next meeting.

As the administration had already handed over 153 acres of land to a private player, the farmers of Thengaithittu were worried about the acquisition of their lands by the government for the port. It was the bounden duty of the government to clarify them, he added.

It may be noted that a trouble erupted between those who support the development of the port and those opposing it in front of the venue much before the start of the public hearing. They clashed inside the venue forcing the authorities, including District Collector Thevaneethidas to call off the meeting and leave the venue in a huff.

UNI