The public hearing to accord environmental clearance to the proposed 300 MW thermal power plant at Lathchaiahpeta in Sitanagaram mandal by the NCS Group on Thursday was put off.
Villagers protest
A number of men and women from Latchaiahpeta, Kinthalavanipeta, Antipeta, Reddivanipeta and Gummadivaram villages led by the CPI (M), the AP Rythu Coolie Sangham, the AP Rythu Sangham and the CITU raised objections stating that their lives would become more miserable as they already had been facing pollution problem from NCS Sugars.
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Leaders of the Left party entered into an argument over the conduct of public hearing with Collector G. Ramnarayana Reddy and Environmental Engineer K. Ramesh. Following exchange of views, it was decided to postpone the public hearing.
CPI (M) leader Reddy Srirama Murty said that it was not fair to conduct public hearing without the knowledge of public. The Collector assured them that the hearing would be conducted after informing people in the affected villages.
The NCS Group proposed to set up the power unit near the existing sugar factory in an extent of 180 acres of land at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,500 crores. Out of the extent of land required, the company owned 80 acres of land and requested the administration to sanction the remaining acres adjacent to it.
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