Resentment is brewing among the residents of the border village of Walayar in Palakkad district against an attempt by the Food Safety Department (FSD) to wash and clean about 60 lakh kg of seized adulterated pepper using the facilities of a private factory located close to the Coimbatore border.
“The whole process seems unscientific as the chances of bringing back the original character of the seized pepper through washing and cleaning using detergents remain very low. Experts have recommended safe disposing of the adulterated pepper. The then head of the FSD Biju Prabhakar himself recommended the disposal of the stock,” P.S. Panicker of voluntary organisation Janajagratha says. “Walayar is facing acute drinking water scarcity now. The pepper stock will be taken here next week for washing and cleaning using detergents. We fear both pollution and exploitation of our remaining ground water resources,” Ravikumar of Walayar Action Council Against Polluting Factories says.
– Special Correspondent
60 lakh kg of adulterated pepper seized 5 years ago
It now commands a market price of Rs.384 crore
Walayar residents fear pollution, water depletion
