VS: Govt considering report against Coke

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said in the Assembly on Tuesday that the government was considering the expert committee recommendation for the recovery of Rs 216.26 crore as damages for the multi-sectoral loss caused by Coca- Cola plant at Plachimada in Palakkad district. The government would initiate steps as per the rules after a detailed examination of the report, the Chief Minister said while replying to a submission from M K Premnath of the Janata Dal(S).

The State Government had appointed a committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary K Jayakumar that studied sectoral losses caused by the Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd plant at Plachimada. In its report submitted last week, the committee had stated that as per preliminary assessment there was a loss to the tune of Rs 216.26 crore to the local people.

The report held that besides causing heavy depletion of ground water, the plant had inflicted harm to farming and environment in the area by dumping solid waste.

The committee wanted the State Government to set up a tribunal or ask the Centre to constitute an authority under environment laws to adjudicate the claims of persons who suffered losses and to realise that amount from the company as compensation, Achuthanandan said.