Naam Tamilar Katchi coordinator Seeman has urged that the TVK government immediately withdraw the Pattinapakkam land-use change.
In a post on his X page regarding this, "One law for the people to protect the beach; another law for the government? The TVK government must immediately withdraw the Pattinapakkam land-use change.
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority’s approval to convert 21.37 acres of land in Pattinapakkam, Chennai, into a commercial use zone is highly condemnable.
At a time when fisherfolk, the general public, and political parties are strongly opposing the establishment of the Secretariat in the severely congested Pattinapakkam, the DMK government’s move to push ahead with land-use change measures shows an arrogant attitude that does not respect the people’s sentiments or rights.
What was the need to convert land classified as residential, recreational, and open space for commercial use the day after the by-election was over? If the TVK government truly had the courage, why didn’t it make the change before the by-election?
On the one hand, the corporation is taking action to vacate 129 buildings constructed by the public in areas such as Neelankarai, Injambakkam, and Uthandi, citing violations of coastal regulations.
On the other hand, is it fair for the government to rush ahead with building the Secretariat in Pattinapakkam, a coastal area, despite public opposition? Is the responsibility to protect the coast only the people’s? Doesn’t the government have that responsibility too? One justice for the people and another for the government is not justice; it is a great injustice!
Shouldn’t the government, while pointing out coastal protection rules for private buildings, also place before the public the coastal regulation clearances, environmental studies, and safety assessments for its own project? If the name of land use is changed, does that alone alter the natural character of the coastline and the livelihood needs of the people?
Pattinapakkam is not merely a stretch of land marked on the government map! It is a lifeline area intricately intertwined with the lives, livelihoods, and culture of the fishing community. Therefore, the routes to the sea, places to anchor boats, the needs of the fishing industry, and public access to the beach must be firmly protected. Anything that harms that can never be allowed.
Power and authority are granted only to fulfill the needs of the people, not to impose projects that disregard their opposition and harm their habitat and livelihood. To betray the very people with the power they have given is a grave betrayal!
Therefore, on behalf of the Naam Tamilar Katchi, I urge the Tamil Nadu government to stop the steps being taken to establish the Secretariat at Pattinapakkam and to immediately withdraw the approval to convert that land into a commercial use zone. Otherwise, I also state that Naam Tamilar Katchi will lead a massive protest, with the support of our fishing community.
People’s lives and rights are greater than the grandeur of a government building! Naam Tamilar Katchi will never accept development that deceives the people,” he said in condemnation.
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