A team comprising Mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao and Pendurti MLA P. Rameshbabu on Tuesday faced hostile villagers at Palavalasa opposing the GVMC's action in issuing a ‘no-objection certificate' to the 1,040 MW Hinduja thermal power plant located there. A tense situation prevailed with another group shouting slogans in favour of the plant.
As the convoy of vehicles with heavy security was entering Palavalasa, some villagers surged across the road questioning their coming to seek their views and alleging that the NOC had already been given.
They shouted slogans against the Mayor and the MLA and asked the committee to go back. They alleged that supporters from other places were mobilised to silence them.
Alleging kickbacks in the deal, they wanted the Mayor to resign. Giving land to ash pond would pollute water. The villagers remained adamant on not allowing the committee. When the team was about to leave, one of the protesters tried to stop the vehicle by lying down on the road. Police swung into action and dragged him away. The team and the convoy left under heavy security amid slogan-shouting by villagers.
With the group shouting slogans in favour surging, police pushed it behind. They restrained the group opposing the plant, enabling the rival one, comparatively large, to air its views before the committee.
Expressing confidence in the committee and giving their consent to the plant, the group shouted slogans in favour of the MLA but wanted NOC to be given only after addressing their problems. Representing the villagers, Kaki Babu, Nakka Appa Rao and others wanted a rehabilitation package that included compensation to land and a job to each family and drinking water as main demands. They firmly opposed locating ash pond in the village.
Later at a meeting at Pittavanipalem, Mr. Rameshbabu said he would expose the two persons who made charges against him.
Mayor's assurance
The issue of a ‘no objection certificate' would be kept in abeyance until an agreement is reached on the problems faced by those affected by the 1040 MW thermal power plant, Mr. Janardhana Rao said.
The categorical assurance came at Pittavanipalem during a visit of a committee to the villages to elicit their views on giving the certificate to the plant. The Mayor, however, made it clear he was duty-bound to go by resolution made by the majority members and the committee was formed to go into their problems and submit a report. This was the second visit of the panel to villages to be affected by the plant.
