Titanium project be implemented by govt undertaking: PMK

Chennai, July 26 (UNI) The Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) project being set up by the Tata Steels at Sattankulam in Tuticorin district is facing further trouble with PMK, a key ally of the ruling DMK, suggesting that the project could be implemented by a government undertaking.

Opposing Tamil Nadu government signing a MoU with Tata Steels, allowing the latter to set up the Rs 2,500 crore project, PMK founder leader S Ramadoss said the huge deposits of ilmenite and monazite in the region were the wealth of the nation and no individual or private firm should be allowed to become owner of that.

On government's contention that rejecting the project would be against the interest of the nation, the PMK leader said ''the project need not be shelved, but could be implemented by a government undertaking, instead of giving it to Tata Steels.'' People would have more faith and willingly come forward to give their lands for the project if government came forward to implement the project, he said, adding they would also be rest assured of their employment and adequate compensation.

Just because few individuals were illegally exploiting the deposits in the region, it was totally unjust on the part of the state government to allow Tata Steels to exploit the deposits and earn profits, Dr Ramadoss said.

He said it was shocking to note that the state government had offered to acquire 10,600 acres of land for setting up the project on behalf of Tata Steels. If Tata wanted to set up an industry, why not the company did acquire the lands directly from the poeple, he asked.

However, during acquisition, land owners should be given the option of giving their lands and there should not be any compulsion or government intervention, he said.

Dr Ramadoss was pessimistic about the desalination plant to be set up by Tata steels, which would provide employment opportunities to more than 10,000 farm workers.

The assurance given by Tata for employment could also not believed as similar assurances were given by the government while acquiring lands for the Neyveli lignite corportion, but the families, which gave lands, were yet to get employment, he said.

UNI