Protesting the failure of the State government in starting work on the long pending Avanashi-Athikadavu Ground Water Recharge Scheme, despite assurance on this day last year in the Assembly, nearly 1,000 persons, including over 100 women, today began a hunger strike in Avanashi in nearby Tirupur District.

A few members of the committee seeking implementation the long-pending project had resorted to an indefinite hunger strike last year in February.

The then Finance Minister, Paneerselvam, who also held the PWD portfolio, had announced in the Assembly the administrative sanction for the project on February 19, with Rs. 3.7 crore funds. Based on the assurance, the fast was withdrawn on February 19.

However, in view of the failure to start any works on the project even one year after the announcement, the committee decided to observe an indefinite fast from today and nearly 1,000 sat in a specially erected pandal in Avanashi, some 35 kms from here.

A large number of people have gathered in and around the venue to express their solidarity with the agitators, police sources said.

This could be the first litmus test for the newly sworn in Government, from whom the agitators are anticipating an immediate response, a committee member said. Depending upon the response, the committee will decide whether to continue the agitation, he said.