After meeting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at his residence Varsha, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray announced that Sena would disallow the Ratnagiri refinery project as the locals are opposing it. Fadnavis also assured local villagers and Sena that the government would not thrust upon this project if people are against it.
Thackeray , along with local elected Sena representatives and farmers, fishermen leaders, met Fadnavis to discuss the issue. The village leaders brought signed letters of villagers opposing the proposed refinery project. As per the leaders, 78 per cent people from 17 villages from the area have strongly opposed it.
Three public sector oil companies are estimated to invest Rs 3 lakh crore in the refinery project at Nanar, 350 kms from Mumbai which would affect 17 villages in two districts Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. Minister for Industries Subhash Desai said, "Ratnagiri refinery MoU would not be signed."
"I have told Fadnavis that Shiv Sena would be with the people of Konkan and we would not allow the project against their will," said Thackeray.
The local farmers and fishermen committee leader Arvind Samant made it clear that his committee will oppose the project. He added that he made it clear to the CM that if a public hearing is held, people of Konkan are capable of presenting their case before officials.
