JLPP work to commence in January 2009: Minister

Perambalur, Aug 5 (UNI) Preliminary works of the Jayamkondam Lignite Power Project (JLPP) in Ariyalur District will commence in January next year, according to Union Minister for Communication and Information Technology A Raja.

Talking to newspersons here yesterday, he said 8,000 acres had been acquired. The State Government was prepared to pay the land- owners compensation fixed by the special courts without further delay, he added.

Mr Raja said jobs would be ensured for qualified legal heirs.

Since the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director(CMD) of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) was vacant, there had been some delay in the execution of the JLPP, he added.

The Minister said an exclusive meeting would be held with officials of the NLC, which was entrusted with the establishement of the JLPP, during the next month. Mr Raja and State Electricity Minister Arcot N Veeraswami would participate in the meeting.

He said an all-party campaign would be launched at Jayamkondam to sensitise people to the advantages of the project and dispel 'false propaganda' by some political parties against its implementation.

Referring to the proposed Special Economic Zone (SEZ), he said 2,700 acres had been acquired. Central clearance would be obtained and preliminary works would commence by September or October this year, he added.

Mr Raja said the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board would implement a massive drinking water supply scheme in the SEZ with an outlay of Rs nine crore. Perambalur and Ariyalur Districts, had registered cent per cent achievement by executing all the schemes, involving an outlay of Rs 33.96 crore, sanctioned during 2007-08, he added.

UNI RV KVV SG RAI1340