Lethargy looms large over Plachimada and the water-scarce surrounding villages though other parts of the Chittur Assembly constituency are witnessing high-pitch campaigning by rival fronts. In fact, it was the stalemate caused by the President’s recent return of the Plachimada Coca Cola Victims Relief and Compensation Claims Special Tribunal Bill, which was passed unanimously by the Assembly in 2011, that turned electioneering a lukewarm affair in Plachimada, which has won global attention because of the high level of resistance against the might of aerated drinks major Coca Cola.
Friday marked the 14th anniversary of the struggle against the alleged over-exploitation of ground water by Coca Cola, and all those who attended the meeting commemorating the event blamed the NDA government at the Centre and both the LDF and the UDF for the current impasse. It was on the advice of the Home Ministry that the President returned the Bill, which was passed to ensure that the villagers are recompensed for the severe exploitation of groundwater resources and destruction of livelihood by Coca Cola.
“The NDA government at the Centre cheated us by succumbing to pressures from the multi-national giant. Both the LDF and the UDF have not responded to our demand to re-enact the legislation without requiring the President’s assent. The promise to make amends in the Bill in the last Assembly session by both the fronts also did not materialise,” said Vijayan Amabalakkad, a leader of the struggle committee. Kanniyamma, an affected woman, said she was yet to decide on her electoral preferences, as all fronts had failed Plachimada. “Apart from making available Rs.216 crore in terms of compensation from Coca Cola for crippling life at Perumatty, the Bill had provisions for initiating action against the company for draining groundwater. It also had provisions to prosecute the company’s top executives under the law on prevention of atrocities against Dalits and tribal people. But all major political fronts failed us,” said local activist Neelippara Mariyappan.
Most Plachimada victims hail from the Eravala community, the most backward among the Scheduled Castes. A total of 900 families have been affected.
“Though the Coca Cola unit was closed down in 2005, the damage caused by it to our livelihood and drinking water rights still remain unaddressed,” said M. Sarasa, a local resident.
On 14th anniversary of Plachimada agitation, victims blame parties for being lukewarm
