Saturday, Apr 23, 2005
Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 |
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Staff Reporter
PALAKKAD: The Anti-Coca-Cola Agitation Committee and various other organisations waging a struggle against exploitation of groundwater by Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Ltd. at Plachimada have taken a pledge to boycott products of cola companies. A public meeting was held at Plachimada on Friday to mark the third anniversary of the satyagraha in front of the cola unit at Plachimada, which began on April 22, 2002. The company began operations in March 2000. A year later, it was found that there was depletion of ground water. The Perumatty grama panchayat, which had gave licence to the company in the face of local protest, refused to renew the licence. In 2003, the Government banned the exploitation of ground water, as the area was declared drought-affected. The panchayat, in April 2003, filed a writ petition in the High Court against a Government Order against its decision not to renew the licence of the company. The Single Bench of the High Court on December 16, 2003, upheld the panchayat decision and directed the Cola unit to stop the exploitation of ground water and find alternative sources of water for its use. The cola company went in appeal against the Single Bench order and on April 7, 2005, the Division Bench set aside the Single Bench order. The Division Bench allowed the company to draw 5 lakh litres of water a day. The Perumatty grama panchayat has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Division Bench order. The `people's meet' held at Plachimada was inaugurated by Mylamma, tribal leader. The meeting was addressed by Janata Dal(S) State president, M.P. Veerendrakumar, MP, the secretary general, K. Krishnankutty, the RSP State secretary, T.J. Chandrachoodan, V.C. Kabeer, MLA, the Adivasi Mahasabha leader, C.K. Janu, the Plachimada Solidarity Committee convener, R. Ajayan, among others.
Veerendrakumar's plea
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference here today, Mr Veerendrakumar said that a `defence committee' would be formed to conduct the case against the Coca-Cola unit at Plachimada in the Supreme Court. He said a panchayat can spent only Rs.3,000 annually for conducting a case. So, to meet the expenses of conducting the case in Supreme Court against the verdict of the Division Bench of the Kerala High Court, a defence committee will be formed to help the Perumatty grama panchayat. Mr. Veerendrakumar said a boycott of cola products would be started in the panchayat from May 1. It will be extended to the whole of Palakkad district with the cooperation of traders, political parties and mass organisations. The boycott is to establish the right of the people over the common ownership of natural resources like water, he said. The MP demanded that the State Government go in appeal against the High Court verdict that allowed the Coke plant at Plachimada to draw five lakh litres of water daily. This verdict goes against the constitutional right of the grama panchayat over natural resources, he said. So, both the Union and State Governments should go in appeal against the verdict to protect the constitutional rights of panchayats given to them under the Panchayat Raj Act, he said. Mr. Veerendrakumar said the Janata Dal (S) would support the Left parties' decision to oppose the Seed and Pension Bills in Parliament. The Left parties should oppose these bills in Parliament and vote against it "even if the UPA Government falls on such a decision'' because the bills are most dangerous and go against the farmers and the food security of the country. The pension Bill will affect the workers and employees in every sector. This cannot be accepted as it will end the social security given to the workers and employees, he added.
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