Coke plant: VS overrules minister,clears tribunal

CM V S Achuthanandan said the Law Ministry has been asked to take necessary steps to form the tribunal. He said the bottling plant had caused severe damage to agriculture in the area. Even new-born babies have been affected by various diseases.

Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem had opposed formation of the tribunal,on the ground that such a step would set a bad precedent in the industrial sector. Principal Secretary,Industries,T Balakrishnan,in the department’s reply to the recommendations of the government panel,had suggested that the Coke plant should be allowed to resume operation or it should be relocated to an area where industrial water supply scheme could be introduced. However,the RSP,which controls Irrigation Department,objected to the findings. The panel to look into the damage was headed by Principal Irrigation Secretary K Jayakumar.