DMK Member of Parliament A. Raza today met and held talks with the farmers protesting against the Tamil Nadu government’s plan to set up an industrial park near Annoor next to Coimbatore.
The meeting took place at Kolliyur Mariamman temple near Coimbatore. This place is about 40 km from Coimbatore. is far away. Annoor, Mettupalayam District Collectors and Tirupur South Assembly Member Selvaraj were also present during this meeting.
The Government of Tamil Nadu has issued an order that an integrated industrial park will be set up under the auspices of the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation on an area of 3,864 acres in Annur and Mettupalayam circles of Coimbatore district. Farmers from Annoor and Mettupalayam circles protested against the project and started a series of protests.
Protest groups have set up offices in 17 villages where land acquisition for the industrial park is planned. Opposition parties including AIADMK also supported the farmers’ protest.
Nilgiris Member of Parliament A. Raza Annoor met the press in Coimbatore on December 14 regarding the industrial park project. Speaking at that time, he promised that the industrial park would be established only on waste land owned by a company and that the agricultural lands of the farmers would not be acquired. The Tamil Nadu government also issued a press release with this promise. However, the farmers are continuing their protest demanding that the decree issued for setting up the industrial park should be cancelled.
“No industry has come to the 2000 acre industrial park in Nanguneri for 20 years. No one asked for an industrial park in Annur. If they come to Annur instead of going to Nanguneri, they come for land and not for water. Corporate companies want Bhavani Dam’s water resources. That is why the Tamil Nadu government is planning to set up an industrial park here.” BJP state president Annamalai had also objected to this plan.
This is how this meeting is happening.
What did A.Rasa say…
A. Raza spoke to the farmers after holding talks with the protest group in Kolliyur.
At that time, the government issued an announcement accepting my request not to take agricultural land for industrial park.
After that, after watching the press conference of the protest group, I spoke to all the parties like Ditko Chairman, District Collector, Industries Minister. They said that the company lands were not 2000 acres. We also checked the related documents and advised. We will only take company lands if they are also eligible lands.
We are going to hold another discussion with the protest group at the Coimbatore District Collector’s office.
Farmers are protesting after seeing the damage caused by factories like viscose and dye workshops. Only factories that do not cause air and water pollution will be allowed.” said.
“A 15-member committee will be constituted”
He further said, “We are going to form a 15-member committee consisting of protest committee members, district collector, Annur AIADMK assembly member Dhanapal, chairman and myself. After forming the committee, a discussion can be held under the chairmanship of the Collector. There is no waste in military logistics companies. I have been Union Environment Minister. I know about pollution free companies.
If a factory is to be set up in Annoor, the proposal will be approved by the committee.
But we cannot depend on agriculture alone. Agriculture is also changing. We also need factories for development,” he said
The farmers had demanded that 2 acres of land should be given to the agricultural labourers. The person who spoke about it said, ‘The place where the industrial estate is located in Perambalur is government land. So we were able to provide land to the foxes who were farming there. But there is no government land in Annur. We cannot give away company lands. So there is a problem in fulfilling that request.
And only Tamils should be given jobs in the factory to be set up in Annur. We will ensure that too. If there is any other problem for the farmers, I will come and fight.”
What did the farmers say?
After A. Raza spoke, the leader of the protest group, Kumara Ravikumar, spoke to the farmers.
At that time, he said, “I am happy that the Member of Parliament A. Raza came to us in person and gave us a guarantee. There is no change in our position that we do not want factories here. But the reality is that factories cannot come here. While it was said that 2000 acres, 1200 acres, the company’s land is only 800 acres. .It is also divided into 96 places.
We are going to bring DITCO Chairman and Tahsildar in person and show them. The demand for 2 acres of land to set up a factory here cannot be waived. If Ditko leaves, everyone leaves. No change in position. They should announce that the industrial park will not come, the factories will not come. Only then will there be a solution.
They are trying to politicize this struggle. We should not allow that. We don’t want any party. No party, organization or movement should claim the right,” he said.
“A protected agricultural zone is impossible”
Farmers also demanded that Annur only Mettupalayam area should be declared as protected agricultural zone. It was also discussed. Talking about it, Kumara Ravikumar said, “If we want to declare it as an agricultural zone, we have to go through three steps. Therefore, there is no possibility for that. We will discuss it and take a decision.
There are village council resolutions saying no factories here. Ditco is a real estate broker. Looking at the situation here, the factory will not come. At the same time, none of the farmers should buy company lands. If you have bought up to this point, there is no problem. Any further purchase of land will be void. Those lands should go to the agricultural laborers who fought with us,” he said.
Senthil Balaji Tweet
“Farmers wholeheartedly welcome the order of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu which has declared that no land will be acquired without the consent of the farmers in Annoor area.” Minister Senthil Balaji said.
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