04-19-2007, 06:33 AM
Sorry - I was not aware of any ad hominem attacks or sweeping statements about Hindu unity in the previous post, but anyway if such an impression was conveyed, my apologies. Certainly no intention of trying to represent anyone but myself.
It IS instructive, however, to review the genesis of the opposition to the project. Here is one article from 2004.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->
Ramadoss sees plot to foil scheme
By Our Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE, SEPT. 16. The way public hearings on the Sethusamudram project are disrupted in some districts creates a suspicion that a behind-the-scenes conspiracy is on to thwart the scheme, S. Ramadoss, Pattali Makkal Katchi leader, said today.
Addressing a press conference here, he said the confusion at the sessions in Nagapattinam and Pudukottai made one suspect manipulations from above, he said.
<b>In the overall interests of Tamil Nadu, this project ought to be executed, and none should politicise it or derive political mileage. Those who tried to stall the project would be branded "Sri Lankan agents" working against the welfare of Tamil Nadu, </b>Dr. Ramadoss said.
Call for cooperation
"<b>Let the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, take credit for making the project materialise. But let her cooperate with the Centre for taking the project to fruition."</b>
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--> `Do not sabotage Sethu project'
By Our special Correspondent
COIMBATORE, SEPT. 16. The DMK president, M.Karunanidhi, last night made an impassioned appeal that the Sethusamudram project, which would bring prosperity to Tamil Nadu, be not sabotaged.
In a 20-minute speech at a public meeting held to mark the end of the party's Mupperum Vizha, he dismissed the claim by the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, that it was because of her that the project found a mention in the National Agenda for Governance in 1998 when the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was in alliance with the Bharaiya Janata Party.
He contended that it was only because of the DMK that the National Democratic Alliance agreed in 1999 to have on its agenda not only a national water policy to effectively settle river water disputes and link the Ganga and the Cauvery but also the Sethusamudram project. However, despite the promise made by the then Prime Minister, Vajpayee, to the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader, Vaiko, the project did not take off, Mr. Karunanidhi said.
Ultimately, it was the United Progressive Alliance Government, which gave the green signal and allotted funds for the Rs 2,000-crore project.
While expressing confidence that Ms.Jayalalithaa was also in favour of the project because of her current claims, he said some people were trying to "sabotage" it" after acting as if they are supporting it".
"I beseech you not to damage and ruin the proposal and prevent the project from becoming a reality".
Mr. Karunanidhi also allayed fears that the project would ruin. coral reefs and affect fishermen On the other hand, Tamil Nadu would be immensely benefited, he asserted.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Now let us go back in time a bit more....
JANUARY 6, 1999. www.rediff.com
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->138-year-old canal project revived in Tamil Nadu
<b>The Sethusamudram canal project, conceived 138 years ago, will be taken up within a few months, Defence Minister George Fernandes announced on Wednesday.
Speaking about the "dream-come-true project" after an aerial survey of the site, Fernandes told reporters at Kodandaramarkoil, 8km from Madurai, that the canal would be constructed in two phases.</b>
To be laid 99.88 nautical miles from Tuticorin through the Gulf of Mannar, it will reduce the cost of shipping substantially, besides earning foreign exchange.
Fernandes said <b>the prime minister had committed himself to execute the project for the benefit of the country in general and the southern states in particular</b>. And the job had been entrusted to him.
Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and the Centre will share the cost, which may be anywhere between Rs 7.65 billion and Rs 12 billion.
Fernandes said the project would be completed in six years. Under the first phase covering 44 nautical miles, the task of dredging down to a depth of 31 feet will be taken up at a cost of Rs 7.65 million and completed in four years. Dredging to a depth of 35 feet will be taken up in the second phase.
He said the government would decide shortly whether to execute the work on a 'build, operate, transfer' basis through private participation or through an authority or corporation on the lines of the Konkan Railway.
He felt the setting up of a corporation would be more beneficial, with 49 per cent equity participation by the Centre and an equal percentage by the southern states.
Ruling out any foreign funding for the project, he said only technical help would be used.
Once the project is completed, both Tuticorin and Madras will become nodal ports, the minister said. Then, the distance from Cape Comorin to Madras will be reduced from 755 nautical miles to 402, and to Visakhapatnam from 1,014 to 719 nautical miles. From Tuticorin to Calcutta, the distance will come down from 1,371 nautical miles to 1,031.
The minister was accompanied by Commodore Madan, naval officer in charge, Tamil Nadu, and Commodore K V Subramaniam, Commandant, Coast Guard (East), Madras.
UNI <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It IS instructive, however, to review the genesis of the opposition to the project. Here is one article from 2004.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->
Ramadoss sees plot to foil scheme
By Our Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE, SEPT. 16. The way public hearings on the Sethusamudram project are disrupted in some districts creates a suspicion that a behind-the-scenes conspiracy is on to thwart the scheme, S. Ramadoss, Pattali Makkal Katchi leader, said today.
Addressing a press conference here, he said the confusion at the sessions in Nagapattinam and Pudukottai made one suspect manipulations from above, he said.
<b>In the overall interests of Tamil Nadu, this project ought to be executed, and none should politicise it or derive political mileage. Those who tried to stall the project would be branded "Sri Lankan agents" working against the welfare of Tamil Nadu, </b>Dr. Ramadoss said.
Call for cooperation
"<b>Let the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, take credit for making the project materialise. But let her cooperate with the Centre for taking the project to fruition."</b>
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--> `Do not sabotage Sethu project'
By Our special Correspondent
COIMBATORE, SEPT. 16. The DMK president, M.Karunanidhi, last night made an impassioned appeal that the Sethusamudram project, which would bring prosperity to Tamil Nadu, be not sabotaged.
In a 20-minute speech at a public meeting held to mark the end of the party's Mupperum Vizha, he dismissed the claim by the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, that it was because of her that the project found a mention in the National Agenda for Governance in 1998 when the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was in alliance with the Bharaiya Janata Party.
He contended that it was only because of the DMK that the National Democratic Alliance agreed in 1999 to have on its agenda not only a national water policy to effectively settle river water disputes and link the Ganga and the Cauvery but also the Sethusamudram project. However, despite the promise made by the then Prime Minister, Vajpayee, to the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader, Vaiko, the project did not take off, Mr. Karunanidhi said.
Ultimately, it was the United Progressive Alliance Government, which gave the green signal and allotted funds for the Rs 2,000-crore project.
While expressing confidence that Ms.Jayalalithaa was also in favour of the project because of her current claims, he said some people were trying to "sabotage" it" after acting as if they are supporting it".
"I beseech you not to damage and ruin the proposal and prevent the project from becoming a reality".
Mr. Karunanidhi also allayed fears that the project would ruin. coral reefs and affect fishermen On the other hand, Tamil Nadu would be immensely benefited, he asserted.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Now let us go back in time a bit more....
JANUARY 6, 1999. www.rediff.com
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->138-year-old canal project revived in Tamil Nadu
<b>The Sethusamudram canal project, conceived 138 years ago, will be taken up within a few months, Defence Minister George Fernandes announced on Wednesday.
Speaking about the "dream-come-true project" after an aerial survey of the site, Fernandes told reporters at Kodandaramarkoil, 8km from Madurai, that the canal would be constructed in two phases.</b>
To be laid 99.88 nautical miles from Tuticorin through the Gulf of Mannar, it will reduce the cost of shipping substantially, besides earning foreign exchange.
Fernandes said <b>the prime minister had committed himself to execute the project for the benefit of the country in general and the southern states in particular</b>. And the job had been entrusted to him.
Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and the Centre will share the cost, which may be anywhere between Rs 7.65 billion and Rs 12 billion.
Fernandes said the project would be completed in six years. Under the first phase covering 44 nautical miles, the task of dredging down to a depth of 31 feet will be taken up at a cost of Rs 7.65 million and completed in four years. Dredging to a depth of 35 feet will be taken up in the second phase.
He said the government would decide shortly whether to execute the work on a 'build, operate, transfer' basis through private participation or through an authority or corporation on the lines of the Konkan Railway.
He felt the setting up of a corporation would be more beneficial, with 49 per cent equity participation by the Centre and an equal percentage by the southern states.
Ruling out any foreign funding for the project, he said only technical help would be used.
Once the project is completed, both Tuticorin and Madras will become nodal ports, the minister said. Then, the distance from Cape Comorin to Madras will be reduced from 755 nautical miles to 402, and to Visakhapatnam from 1,014 to 719 nautical miles. From Tuticorin to Calcutta, the distance will come down from 1,371 nautical miles to 1,031.
The minister was accompanied by Commodore Madan, naval officer in charge, Tamil Nadu, and Commodore K V Subramaniam, Commandant, Coast Guard (East), Madras.
UNI <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->