POLLUTER PAYS
Kerala Government panel asks coca-cola to pay Rs. 216 crore
Booked for widespread damage
A 14-member high-power committee of the Kerala Government has asked Coca-Cola to pay Rs. 216.26 crore against damages caused by its cola bottling plant at Plachimada. The plant has remained shut down since March 2004. The committee held that besides heavy withdrawal of ground water, the plant was harming the farming sector and environment in the area by irresponsible disposal of the sludge. The agriculture production in the area has steadily fallen. Metals like cadmium, lead and chromium have been detected in the sludge and this has affected public health.
The committee classified the damage suffered by various sectors due to functioning of the plant as farm loss, pollution of water resources, cost of providing water, health damage, wage loss and opportunity cost. Once the Government establishes a suitable mechanism to claim the compensation for these damages from the company, individual claims will be assessed and the company will be made to pay compensation. Meanwhile, the company shouldn’t resume its operation, said the committee.
Wait for compensation
Booked for widespread damage
A 14-member high-power committee of the Kerala Government has asked Coca-Cola to pay Rs. 216.26 crore against damages caused by its cola bottling plant at Plachimada. The plant has remained shut down since March 2004. The committee held that besides heavy withdrawal of ground water, the plant was harming the farming sector and environment in the area by irresponsible disposal of the sludge. The agriculture production in the area has steadily fallen. Metals like cadmium, lead and chromium have been detected in the sludge and this has affected public health.
The committee classified the damage suffered by various sectors due to functioning of the plant as farm loss, pollution of water resources, cost of providing water, health damage, wage loss and opportunity cost. Once the Government establishes a suitable mechanism to claim the compensation for these damages from the company, individual claims will be assessed and the company will be made to pay compensation. Meanwhile, the company shouldn’t resume its operation, said the committee.
Wait for compensation
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