Amaravati: 'Divi's will not start industry without people's consent'

Amaravati: MINISTER for Industries Mekapati Goutham Reddy assured people that the Divi's industry would not be established without taking into consideration the opinions of all stakeholders.

Addressing the video-conference with the CEO and director of Divi Industries Kiran Divi, APIIC chairman Ravin Reddy, East Godavari District Collector Muralidhar Reddy, SP Adnan Sami, Managing Director of AP Pollution Control Board Vivek Yadav, and other officials, the Minister said that the government was committed to solve the problems raised by the people and others.

He said that the objections raised by various sections would be considered to find solution to everyone's satisfaction.

It may be recalled that the farmers, local people and fishermen community raised objections to the establishment of the industry by the Divi Group at Danavayi village of Tondangi mandal in East Godavari district.

The government proposed to withdraw all the criminal cases filed against various people who protested against the establishment of the industry. The Divi Group management should hold discussions with all the stakeholders in view of the allegations of pollution raised by the fishermen.

The Minister instructed the AP Pollution Control Board to address the concern over the pollution giving assurance to the people that the Board would take precautions to prevent pollution. Divi's Group should allocate 75 per cent of jobs to the local people. The Divi Group should also undertake various development activities with the corporate social responsibility funds. The government would undertake skill development programme for the local people to provide them employment in the industry. If necessary, the Divi Group should open a skill development centre.

Addressing the video conference, Kiran Divi expressed readiness for implementing the proposals of the government.