Giving a major boost to the agitation against Vilappilsala solid-waste treatment plant, the Vilappil panchayat on Monday passed a resolution to shut down the controversial plant, hours before the blockade of garbage trucks declared by the Vilappilsala Janakeeya Samithi agitators.
Vilappil panchayat president Shobhana Kumari said the resolution was passed at a panchayat meeting held on Monday.
“The resolution was moved by panchayat vice-president Vinod Raj and backed by BJP member Pallimangalam Chandran Nair. All 10 UDF members of the panchayat, four BJP members, and one member of the CPI voted in favour of the resolution to shut down the plant. Only five CPI(M) members voted against it,” she said.
Ms. Shobhana Kumari said the panchayat would soon send notice to the city Corporation in this regard and also to the Kerala Water Authority and the Kerala State Electricity Board to cut off water and electricity supply to the plant.
She added that the panchayat would also support and lead the blockade of garbage trucks from the city, to be held on December 21. “We have given ample time to the city Corporation and the State government to come up with some solution to the difficulties faced by people of Vilappil. This plant has been working here without the license of the panchayat for so many years,” she said.
In another development, an all-party delegation of the city Corporation council, led by Mayor K. Chandrika, met Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here on Monday seeking the State government's support in tackling the crisis at Vilappilsala.
In a written complaint submitted to the Chief Minister, Ms. Chandrika asked him to ensure protection to Corporation staff in the wake of the blockade declared by the Janakeeya Samithi.
On Tuesday, Urban Affairs Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty will convene a meeting of Janakeeya Samithi agitators, Vilappil panchayat authorities, and the Corporation officials.
