UPCL victims must be adequately compensated – Shobha Karandlaje

UPCL victims must be adequately compensated – Shobha Karandlaje

Mangalore Today News Network

Padubidri, August 25, 2012: Addressing Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) officers on Friday, Shobha Karandlaje, energy minister, said that the company must compensate all the victims of the environmental hazards caused by the power plant. She also urged the company to implement environment safety measures.

 

 

Speaking about the safety measures adopted by the company to check environmental pollution because of its operation, UPCL CEO Ravindran said that the company collects water from the sea and uses drift eliminators to desalinate it. Then electrostatic precipitators are used to remove 80 percent of the fly ash and only small amounts of ash are released into the air through the chimneys. Even the sulphur content is removed, he added. Further, he said that air quality monitors are introduced at the main gates, adding that the project occupies 570 acres of land, and its main plant covers 400 acres.

Nagesh Bhat, member of the Yellur GP, alleged that the company has not taken any measurers to avoid environmental pollution in spite of appeals, adding that the company has polluted water bodies within a radius of 8kms. He said that the water is purified only 60 percent, and although the company claims that only .01 percent of fly ash is released through its chimneys, it releases over 4 tons of fly ash daily. He demanded proper compensation for farmers of the region whose crops were destroyed because of environmental pollution caused by the company.

In response, Mr. Ravindran said that the company, as part of its corporate social responsibility, has launched projects such as a recycling factory and a water harvesting plans. He also said that one third of the plant area is being used to raise forests and that 2.30 lakh saplings have already been planted. Besides, the company has earmarked Rs. 5 crore for social welfare activities and has already spent Rs. 4 crore of it, he stated, adding that the company has also contributed to educational and medical sectors.

Speaking on the occasion, Karandlaje said that the company is yet to compensate as many as 360 fishing families as directed by the government. She added that these fishermen are no longer able to work as usual because of the installation of the plant.

Complaining that the fishermen never stop complaining and demanding, company officers said that the company is willing to deposit funds with the DC. Mr. Ravindran said that the company has provided jobs for 46 victims and compensated the rest.

The DC admitted that his office has received 900 applications from displaced people. District-in-charge Minister Kota Shrinivas Poojary said that these applications must be verified and the tahsildar must identify victims eligible to receive compensations.