The indefinite agitation called by a section of farmers affiliated to the Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha against the NTPC Kudgi thermal plant was called off on the 199th day after the intervention of Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday.
The Minister, who paid a surprise visit to meet the agitators, made it clear while the demand for the removal of the plant could not be met, the other ‘justifiable’ demands of the farmers could be considered.
During the meeting, activist Arvind Kulkarni, who was leading the agitation, presented a list of demands including the scientific assessment of plant regarding its effect on ecology and the withdrawal of cases against the farmers who were protesting against the plant.
Mr. Shivakumar, who accepted the memorandum, promised to start the legal process to withdraw the cases and also promised to consider other demands.
On the occasion, he said that with the increasing demand for electricity, the State and the country was in great need of power plants.
The agitation was called off after the assurance in the presence of Basavanabagewadi MLA, Shivanand Patil who is believed to be instrumental in bringing the Minister to the site and end the impasse.
Meanwhile, it appeared that more than the government it was the agitators who were in a hurry to end the protest, especially when they began losing support from their fellow members.
After the agitation, the government had offered to send farmers to other NTPC plants in the country to study its effect on human lives and ecology.
