Tamil Nadu - Erode   

Pollution control board asked to obtain public opinion

File Photo: M. Govarthan

Polluted: A view of Kalingarayan Canal, into which effluents are being discharged by various industries, say farmers. —

ERODE: The district administration has asked the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Erode, to seek public opinion before granting permission to industries that attracted objections from farmers.

In the instant case, the District Revenue Officer C. Manoharan told the District Environment Engineer of the Board to convene a meeting at Nanjae Kavundanpalayam, where the farmers have objected to the setting up of a silk reeling unit on the ground that the industry would pollute water bodies in the area.

The officer also suggested that the Board engineer make this a practice in the district, unless and otherwise barred by law, so that agriculture lands were not used for industrial activity.

He gave the direction following farmers’ representation at the monthly grievance meeting held here on Friday.

Farmers of the region made representations saying that the effluents from the industry would not only pollute the nearby water bodies but also affect agricultural lands.

The farmers also complained that stench from the industry would make it difficult for people in the vicinity to continue living there.

They clarified that they were not against the factory per se but only wanted it shifted. At Friday’s meeting the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board came under farmers’ ire for what they say are deficiencies in its functioning.

President of the Kalingarayan Farmers’ Association V. M. Velayudham charged that dyeing, bleaching and tanneries continue polluting the canal, which irrigates 15,743 acres of land.

The farmers’ leader also drew the PWD’s Water Resource Organisation’s attention to water not reaching the tail end areas of the 56-mile-long canal. “It has been a month since the PWD released water; but very little of that has reached the tail end areas. I would like to know what sort of maintenance work the department carried out prior to releasing water,” he asked.

Mr. Velayudham also sought a mud track and wall on the eastern banks of the Kalingarayan canal to prevent industries from discharging effluents.

At present the eastern bank is dotted with dyeing, bleaching units and tanneries.

As regards the logjam in establishing turmeric market, the farmer wanted a quick solution so that the farmers are not put to hardship.

Nataraja Moorthy, panchayat president, Ingur, complained about pollution from industries in SIPCOT industrial estate in Perundurai.

Ash from burning coconut husks and branches blankets villages at the rear of the estate.

With the spread of the ash, the industries have added air pollution to their list of pollutions, he quipped.

Subi. Thalapathy of Arakankottai Farmers’ Association asked for a thorough investigation into the theft of farmers’ turmeric bags at warehouses.

He said the farmers had every reason to fear that the investigation into the case had been stalled at the behest of influential persons in the region.

K. Vadivel of LBP Water Users’ Association wanted the Spices Board to retain its office in Erode. He urged the district administration to initiate steps in the regard.

The senior farmer also spoke about sugarcane prices saying what was left after paying for harvest and transport, was very meagre and not commensurate with the work the farmers invested in.

Farmers also complained about inadequate supply of fertilisers and primary agriculture cooperative banks forcing unwanted fertilisers down their throats.

District officials who responded to farmers’ complaints promised to initiate action.

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