Days after chief ministerM K Stalinwrote to Prime MinisterNarendra Modiurging the Union Government not to allow oil and gas exploration in Cauvery delta districts,ONGChas approached the state environmental impact assessment authority (SEIAA) seeking clearance to drill 10 exploration wells in Ariyalur district. The Ongc letter circulated widely on Wednesday attracted sharp criticisms from andfarmerswho have been up againstoil explorationin the agrarian region which had been designated a protected special Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture zone by the previous government.
Already Ariyalur district is facing the bad consequences of excessive limestone quarrying and cement industries. The groundwater level is depleting and oil exploration will make our livelihood worse.