CHENNAI: Acquisition of land for power projects at Marakkanam and Cuddalore is being done with the consent of landowners/farmers, Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veeraswami told the Assembly on Wednesday.
Responding to concerns expressed by C.Ve. Shanmugam (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and T. Velmurugan (Pattali Makkal Katchi), he said at Marakkanam 10,000 acres was required. A minor port was proposed within a 10-km radius. For the Cuddalore project, 75 per cent of the land had been acquired. Lands were being purchased at Rs. 2 lakh an acre. If the Government came to know instances of lands being sold at Rs.50,000 an acre, it would ask the project promoter to buy the lands at Rs.2 lakh an acre, the Minister promised.
Referring to the issue raised by C. Gnanasekaran (Congress) regarding frequent power cuts in Vellore district, Mr. Veeraswami said the situation was due to the loss of wind energy this month coupled with disruption in production at one unit each in Neyveli and Tuticorin thermal power stations. He hoped that the situation would be set right in three-four days.
Responding to a query of E.S.S. Raman (Congress), he said an advisory committee for the Electricity Board would be formed after consulting the Chief Minister.
D. Ravikumar (Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi) sought a rehabilitation package for the landless in the Cuddalore project area.
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