Union Minister Considers Dropping Tungsten Mining Project: Annamalai


Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai has stated that Union Minister Kishan Reddy has assured him of reconsidering the decision to establish a tungsten mining project in Madurai district.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is set to introduce a resolution in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly today (Dec. 9) urging the Central Government to immediately revoke the tungsten mining license granted to Hindustan Zinc Limited in Madurai district. The resolution also emphasizes that no mining licenses should be auctioned without the consent of the state government.

Amidst growing opposition from the public in villages such as Arittapatti, Nayakarpatti, Kavattayampatti, Ettimangalam, A. Vallalapatti, Kidaripatti, and Narasingampatti, Annamalai has written to Union Minister Kishan Reddy, requesting the cancellation of the proposed tungsten mining project. He has also communicated the public resistance via a phone call, urging the Union Government to abandon the plan.

In a statement, Annamalai said, “Union Minister Kishan Reddy has assured me that he will reconsider the decision to set up a tungsten mining project. The public opposition has arisen due to misinformation and incomplete details provided by the DMK government regarding the project. The preliminary works for the project were based on the information shared by the DMK government.”

Annamalai accused the DMK government of dramatizing the issue following public resistance. He further added, “Under the good governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, only farmer-friendly initiatives have been implemented. The Prime Minister will never approve any projects that are against the welfare of farmers.”

The BJP leader emphasized that the Union Government would take into account the concerns of the public and prioritize their welfare while making decisions.