The Communist Party of India (CPI) has condemned the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to extend the land allocation permit granted to Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) for an atomic mineral mining project spanning 1,144 hectares in the Kanyakumari district for an additional year.

In a statement, the party’s state secretary, M. Veerapandian, said through this extension, the government has provided the company with an opportunity to obtain environmental clearances and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) permits to proceed with the project. He further stated this situation puts Kanyakumari’s coastal environment, groundwater, agriculture, the livelihoods of fishermen, and the future of thousands of people at risk.

He added it is not right for the TVK government, which came to power after making an election promise to protect Tamil Nadu’s natural resources and environment, to attempt to move in the opposite direction. He urged the government to immediately withdraw the G.O issued to extend the land allocation permit.