Protest against fish-processing plant

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Aug 08, 2015:  Meenu Samskarana Ghataka Virodhi Samiti have collectively opposed  plans for a fish-processing plant at Heroor village in Chanthar Gram Panchayat in Udupi district.

A businessman had got a no-objection certificate for conversion of land. Questions are being raised on how the certificate was given to him by the Panchayat Development Officer, said  President of the samiti.

Protesters are set  to take out a vehicle jatha from Heroor to the Deputy Commissioner’s Office  August 10 and submit a memorandum. They will seek action against the Panchayat Development Officer who granted the permission for the plant without due process.

The plant is expected to come up in the midst of  agricultural land close to the Madisal rivulet. There is also a vented dam close by to help agricultural operations. There are fears that effluents from the plant would find their way  into the rivulet, leading to pollution and health hazards in the area where nearly 3,000 persons reside. The panchayat had taken a decision not to allow the plant, after samiti members submitted a petition.