Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta orders probe into activities of Dalmia Cements, ET RealEstate
HYDERABAD: AP Lokayukta Justice P Lakshman Reddy ordered a thorough probe into the activities of the Dalmia Cements (Bharat) company that went unchecked all these years despite allegations of severe pollution emanating from it that was adversely affecting the health of the people on one hand and, on the other hand, inundating the crops of the farmers in five villages around the cement factory situated at Chinna Komerla village, Mylavaram mandal of YSR Kadapa district. The inundation is happening due to the flood protection bund built by the factory blocking a drain there.
In addition to this, the cement factory also constructed a huge compound wall to prevent flood waters from entering into the premises of the factory. The compound wall was built perpendicular to the adjacent stream and this blockade was resulting in inundation of crops in five villages.
This stream is a major stream of 48 Km length in Kundu river sub basin located between Chinnakomerla and Nawabpet villages of Mylavaram mandal of YSR Kadapa district.
The farmers from Nawabupeta, Dugganapalli, Chinnakomerla filed a complaint before the Lokayukta. Though the judge called for reports from revenue officials, they gave misleading reports in the past stating that crops were not damaged on account of the activity of the factory.
However when the judge called for the reports from the irrigation department as well as his own deputy director investigation wing, they gave scathing reports narrating the huge damage being suffered by the people in general and farmers in particular.
Justice Lakshman Reddy passed an order directing the AP Chief Secretary to constitute a high level grievance redressal committee with the district collector as the chairman and revenue, mines, irrigation, PCB officials as members.
Let the company pay for the damages or let it acquire the land: Justice Lakshman Reddy directed the committee headed by the district collector to talk to the company officials to explore the possibility of the company acquiring the flood affected fields of the farmers.
Speak to the farmers, hear their woes and do what is good for them. Think of providing them compensation, alternative land elsewhere as rehabilitation, the judge said while directing the authorities to file an action taken report by Nov 5.
