Jamshedpur: A public hearing was held in the Tube Makers� Club on the subject of ensuring healthy environment and employment of local people in the Nuvoco project of installing a 30 megawatt power plant within the Jojobera Cement Plant.
The public hearing was presided by ADM (Law and Order Subodh Kumar. SDO Dhalbhum Chandan Kumar, Pollution Control Board Assistant Scientist Mithilesh Jha, Jitendra Prasad Singh and junior engineer Suhail Khan were also present at the hearing.
Nuvoco Vistas Corp Ltd officals were asked to ensure that the local people got priority in the matter of employment, assurance that environ- friendly system would be adopted, and health and education would come under the purview of the company.
In spite of the inclement weather, a large number of villagers attended this public hearing and put their opinions forward. Most of the villagers supported the expansion work as they felt that such a project will ensure employment. They said that on the face of many companies downing their shutters, the step to open up factories was indeed worthy of being lauded.
Apart from a few, most people welcomed and supported the setting up of a 30 megawatt power plant within the Jojobera Cement Plant. The locals wanted assurance from the Nuvoco authorities about providing jobs to them.
They wanted the company officials to ensure steps against spread of pollution and pretection of environment when the expansion program is set rolling. Nuvoco Vistas Corp Ltd officials assured of jobs and maintance of a friendly environment.
Zila Parishad vice president Raj Kumar Singh said that there was no objection to the installation of the power plant but it should enhance civic amenities like setting up of dispensaries in Govindpur and Barigora, maintaining cleanliness, installation of street lights and strict control over pollution.
Zila Parishad member Sunita Sah stated that Nuvoco is assuring us of their CSR but earlier quite a few companies had taken the responsibility of ensuring pollution free environment but they went back on the written agreements whose copies were in her possession. She said that their was no objection to the plant�s setup but Nuvoco should be people friendly in terms of its assurances.
Pollution due to flying dust main concern of people
Jammi Bhaskar opposed setting up of the company. He said wrong information had been given by the company. He said people were falling sick after drinking polluted water. He said fly ash had polluted the entire locality. People are suffering from respiratory problems and the company has no CSR activity, he said.
Sarjamda resident Rajeev Pandey said the basti residents were most harassed by the flying dust which is also polluting air, water and land. He said the company should ensure basic amenities so that the people do not have to suffer.
Ravi Shankar Mishra of Rahargora said setting up of 30 Megawatt plant was a welcome step but local residents should get employment opportunities.
Rajesh Sharma of Govindpur said the plant would benefit the people, but the dust coming out of the plant was polluting water and destroying crops.
Chandan Pandey of Govindpur said setting up of the plant and employment generation by it were welcome but preference to local residents and prevention of pollution should be top on the company�s priority.
Ashish Mukhi welcomed the opening of the plant. Vivek Singh of Jojobera too, echoed the same sentiment. He said the company should take steps to stop pollution.
