The public hearing for revival of Fertiliser Corporation of India unit in this industrial town began on Wednesday amid protests by residents of adjoining villages and former contract employees, who are demanding regularisation of their jobs.
Residents of Janagama, Elkalpalli, Veernapalli and Laxmipuram, who came to attend the public hearing, protested that when the earlier plant was running there was a lot of pollution leading to death of cattle and contaminated groundwater. Stating that they were not opposed to the setting up the plant, the villagers wanted the authorities to take precautions to ensure the new project was environment friendly.
Some former contract employees of the earlier plant also staged a demonstration seeking re-employment. Locals also demanded that the qualified youth should be considered for employment in the factory.
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The defunct FCI, which has been renamed Ramagundam Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited (RFCL), is being revived by National Fertilisers Limited (NFL) and Engineers India Limited (EIL) at a cost of Rs.4,700 crore.
Karimnagar Joint Collector Pausumi Basu, Telangana State Pollution Control Board official K. Ravi Babu, RFCL Chief Executive Officer and Ramagundam MLA Somarapu Satyanarayana were present.
The meeting began after some protests and was continuing with the officials explaining how the project would benefit the area.
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