Deputy Commissioner Ramprasath Manohar has assured people of Kuditini, Sultanpur, Toranagal and surrounding villages of communicating their plight and apprehensions of the ill-effects if a coal tar plant was established by Epsilon Carbon Private Limited (ECPL) at Musinayakanahalli in Sandur taluk to those concerned.
However, the people seemed to be disappointed with his concluding remarks. For, they expected Mr. Ramprasath to take a positive decision on their demand to ensure that ECPL did not commission the plant and that environment, ecology and public health were protected.
The only satisfaction for them was that Mr. Ramprasath said that he would be asking the committee, headed by Assistant Commissioner, to submit a detailed report vis-à-vis the apprehensions of the people and also that he would be sending a copy of a video of the meeting to the government.
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Mr. Ramprasath was presiding over a meeting here on Thursday to hear grievances of the people of villages around the site of the coal tar plant being established on 34.65 acres of land rented out by JSW Steel.
People vociferously opposed the plant coming up apprehending serious threat to environment, ecology and also public health. They also reminded him of a series of agitations being carried out by them to press for their demand. They alleged that ECPL was establishing the plant without conducting a public hearing.
They also charged that officials, particularly the police and the pollution control board, with siding with the company against the interests of the public. They said that the authorities concerned had registered cases against those opposing the plant coming up there. “Are our officials working to protect the interests of the public or that of JSW Steel,” they sought to know, in an angry voice.
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They pointed out that a writ petition has been filed before the High Court of Karnataka and also before the National Green Bench.
After hearing their grievances, Mr. Ramprasath said that ECPL had obtained all the necessary clearances and the district administration could hardly do anything in the matter. “We have to abide by the rules and regulations and also by the law. ECPL has obtained all the required clearances and permissions from the authorities concerned. Such being the case, what action can we initiate until there is evidence of violations,” he said in a bid to make his stand clear.
He also clarified that he could intervene only when there is a stay granted by the High Court or the National Green Bench.
Mr. Ramprasath, with regard to the allegations against police officials, assured the people of taking it up with the Superintendent of Police.