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Kerala asks Coca-Cola to pay Rs 216 crore to Plachimada victims
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Monday, 28 February, 2011, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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The LDF government in Kerala has asked Coca-Cola to cough up Rs 216 crore as compensation for "losses" caused by its plant at Plachimada to people in the area. On Thursday, the final day of the present Assembly session, the government rushed through a Bill to enact a special tribunal to realise the penalty.
The Bill, titled Plachimada Coca-Cola Victims' Relief and Compensation Claims Special Tribunal 2011, will empower the government to claim compensation from the company on the basis of the "polluter pays" principle, according to N K Premachandran, state water resources minister, who piloted the Bill. The Bill was based on the recommendations of a high-power committee, headed by additional chief secretary K Jayakumar, which found that a "loss" of Rs 216.16 crore had been caused by HCCB at Plachimada village in Palakkat district.
According to the Bill, the plant had caused environmental and soil degradation and water contamination due to over-extraction of ground water. The plant's functioning had led to drinking water scarcity and decline in agriculture due to disposal of sludge which contained metals like cadmium, lead, and chromium. The Bill said the sludge disposal also affected the health of people causing skin ailments, breathing problems and other disabilities.
The three-member special tribunal, created through the Bill, will have powers to consider petitions for compensation or restitution of property damaged against the company, arising out of grievances due to violation of laws relating to environment, air and water pollution.
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