Post News Network
Jhumpura, Dec 25: A proposed rubber processing plant at Manima village under the block of Keonjhar district has run into rough weather, with
villagers strongly resisting it.
The villagers recently knocked the door of the district administration with a complaint in this regard. Scores of women of a local outfit have resolved not to allow any plant near the village, already battling pollution due to stone crushing units and tar-mixing plants.
A delegation comprising Padmini Mohant, Banabasini Mohant, Raimani Mohant, Sabitri Mohant, Damayanti Mohant and Kamala Mohant submitted a representation to the district collector December 19 and furnished a copy to the tehsildar opposing the
proposed plant.
In their representation, they alleged that any industry intending to set up its unit, initially promises a lot to the
people to win their confidence, but later nothing is done for the welfare of locals and development of their area.
Industries pollute the air and water and eventually, people have to suffer, the villagers said.
They said that the plant has 85
decimal of land in its possession, but has acquired 50 decimal of government land and is raising a boundary wall around it. Besides, the ‘kissam’ of the land has not been converted for industrial use, they pointed out.
As for the plant, tehsildar Shiba Top said that there are several statutory norms for setting up of an industrial unit. Opinion of local villagers is mandatorily sought for any industrial unit, but this had not been done, he added.
About illegal grabbing of government land and change of land ‘kissam’, the tehsildar said: “Such allegations have come to my notice. In the next seven days, the land will be measured and action will be taken,” he added.
