There is apprehension among villagers they will lose their source of revenue if they hand over their land for the proposed titanium project in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts, and it is for the Government to allay their fears by giving them suitable compensation, according to the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee.
The TNCC had deputed a team to assess the views of villagers in these districts. The team found that a systematic “false campaign†was being carried out by a section of the people, who were spreading rumours among the public to prevent the project from taking shape.
The TNCC team suggested that the Government should not acquire land within one-km radius of habitations and 500 metres around drinking water sources. Landowners should be given compensation more than the market value. It should not be less than Rs. 2 lakh a hectare. At least one member of a family, which had given the land for the project, should be given employment. The team led by TNCC president M. Krishnasswamy handed over the report to the Chief Minister at his residence on Tuesday.
