The Hindu : `Halt production in cola factories'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 08, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

`Halt production in cola factories'

KOZHIKODE JAN. 7. The State Janata Dal chief, M.P. Veerenda Kumar, today urged the Government to call an immediate halt to the functioning of cola factories in the light of the recent finding by an experts committee that they were the cause of the severe water scarcity felt in Palakad district.

In a statement calling for the stoppage of production in the cola companies, Mr. Veerendra Kumar also welcomed the same views expressed by the Finance Minister, K Sankaranarayan, who is also a native of Palakad district.

The experts committee had found that water scarcity had become acute in and around Plachimada panchayat, where the Coco-Cola factory was located. In its report submitted to the High Court, the panel had also stated its interim report on the issue would be ready in three months and the final report in one year.

The report prepared by experts had also found the Coco-Cola factory alone consumed nearly five lakh litres of water daily.

The Pepsi factory in nearby Puthusserry panchayat was also found to be using almost an equal quantity of water. "At five lakhs litres a day, the annual consumption of water by the Coco-Cola factory alone is a mind-boggling 18-crore litres. The agitation by the residents of Plachimada, including tribal people, for water is nearly 500 days old. These startling facts are sufficient reason for the Government to order immediate closure of the cola factories," Mr. Veerendra Kumar said.

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