Say no to shale gas exploration

Eluru: CPM West Godavari district committee asked the people not to allow the exploration of shale gas in the district. The Party district committee secretary B Balaram on Thursday stated that the Central and State governments were destroying the Godavari districts in the name of development.

He alleged that the government had entrusted the exploration of shale gas in Krishna-Godavari basin to Oil and Natural Gas commission (ONGC) with a view to handing over those wells to the corporate sector.

He questioned as to how the public hearing was held at Bhimavaram instead of holding it at the villages that would be affected by shale gas exploration and said this was a complete contravention of rules.

He pointed out that countries like Germany, America and France had opposed the exploration of shale gas in their countries and the environmentalists and educational institutions like Charnel University had warned of maximum pollution with shale gas compared to thermal power stations.

He expressed regret at the fact that the Centre was turning a blind eye to the objections raised against shale gas exploration and said that the district was already reeling under severe pollution caused by various industries.

He expressed concern over the exploration of Shale gas in the district, which pollutes the river, water sources and fertile land and said the gases released because of the exploration will have a detrimental effect on the people.

The CPM requested people to take up agitations against the exploration of shale gas in the district and called on the organisations, intellectuals to take up the cause.