more-in Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Harsh Vardhan declined to comment on the controversy surrounding the proposed hydrocarbon exploration and extraction project at Neduvasal village in the neighbouring Pudukottai district. Mr. Vardhan, who was talking to reporters after addressing a function at CSIR-CECRI here on Saturday, said “Someone asked about this yesterday also but I will not like to talk about the project.” When pressed further, he said he would not comment about the project but the government’s thinking would be in the larger interest of the country and people whenever it launched a project. As the Minister paused, an official intervened and said the Koodankulam project also drew lot of protests in the beginning but ‘now we have excess electricity’. Taking the cue, Mr. Vardhan said even when the CSIR established the laboratory here in the late 1940s there would have been protests from the local people but ultimately it was done in the larger interest of the country. Similarly when developmental works were carried out, whether they related to laying of railway lines or expansion of national highways there would be some pain but it was only temporary pain, he said. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation of the 500 and 1000 rupee notes, people had to stand in queues before banks and ATMs for several days but they tolerated everything, realising that it was done for the betterment of the country, Mr. Vardhan added.

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