``No land acquisition in villages of Tiruvallur district''

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI : An official news release by the State on Wednesday
categorically rejected any claims of continuing with land acquisition in
the Kuthambakkam-Vellavedu belt of Tiruvallur district for creation of
special economic zones.

The release pointed out that last month Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi
conceded to the demands of farmers from the region and ordered the
officials to drop a plan drawn up in 1997 to set up a satellite town in
the Kuthambakkam-Vellavedu-Parvarajapuram belt of Tiruvallur district,
some 40 km away from the city. The original plan was to acquire 743
acres of wetlands and 952 acres of drylands. Notices had been served
under the Land Acquisition Act for 546 acres of wetlands and 418 acres
of drylands.

Now the Government has stated that neither drylands nor wetlands would
be acquired. Irrespective of the work done and issuance of notices, the
Government clarified that all plans had been dropped.

"Full of gratitude"

Responding to the announcement, former Kuthambakkam panchayat president
R. Elango thanked the Chief Minister, saying "the villagers were
concerned when officials measured the lands even after the Chief
Minister's assurance last month. But now we are grateful to the Chief
Minister for once again clarifying its position," he added.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/21/stories/2006122122220300.htm