The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a resolution on Monday, December 9, urging the Union government to cancel mining rights for tungsten granted to Hindustan Zinc Limited in Madurai district. The resolution, moved by Senior DMK leader and Water Resources Minister S Duraimurugan, states the state's objections to the project, which they say were disregarded by the Union government.
The mining rights are for a site in Nayakkarpatti village, Melur taluk, which was declared a biodiversity heritage site in 2022. The area is rich in historical significance, home to cave temples, Jain temples, Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions, and Panchapandavar beds. It is also a habitat for several rare species.
Duraimurugan stated that the people and government of Tamil Nadu would not accept the decision to grant mining rights in such a sensitive area. He emphasized that Chief Minister MK Stalin previously asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revoke rights granted to Hindustan Zinc Limited.
The resolution comes amidst reports that the Union government is reconsidering its decision to mine tungsten in the area, including Arittapatti and other villages in Madurai district. BJP state president K Annamalai also wrote to Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy to cancel the mining plans.
In response, Kishan Reddy assured Annamalai that the Union government would review its decision. Annamalai stated that the Union government would review its decision, attributing the issue to a lack of communication from the Tamil Nadu government regarding their dissent. He said that the Modi government prioritizes the welfare of farmers and would not act against their interests.