Union govt has faith in Vedanta, not Vedas: Madurai MP over tungsten mining project

Madurai: The Union govt is working for corporate interests over the well-being of people, said Madurai MP Su Venkatesan. "The govt's trust Vedanta Corporation appears to outweigh its adherence to the values of the Vedas," he said while speaking at a meeting in Melur here on Sunday. Condemning the decision to grant tungsten mining rights to Hindustan Zinc Ltd., a subsidiary of Vedanta, the CPM leader said the Union govt deliberately avoided mentioning familiar names such as Arittapatti or Melur in official communications, instead used Nayakkarpatti to downplay potential public resistance. Citing studies from Belgium and China, Venkatesan warned of severe health risk linked to tungsten mining waste, including cancer and cardiac illnesses. He emphasized that the project posed an imminent threat not only to the environment but also to the lives and livelihoods of locals.While welcoming the state govt's resolution against the project, he called for continued protests until the Union govt formally withdrew the proposal. According to him, mere assurances about protecting sensitive areas are insufficient, as mining activities could have irreversible consequences once initiated.Venkatesan shared his frustrations in trying to meet Union minister for mines G Kishan Reddy to present the concerns of the people. "Initially I was denied an audience for hours before being granted a permission," he said. He criticised the ministry's subsequent response on social media, which blamed the state govt for the lack of earlier opposition.Highlighting past controversies involving Vedanta in Tuticorin, the MP accused the company of repeatedly jeopardizing public welfare for profit. He urged people to remain steadfast in their opposition to prevent history from repeating itself in Madurai.
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