Minister’s plans to shift farmers flayed

Nellore: Even though studies confirmed ill effects of pollution from thermal power plants in coastal mandals on crops, the state government had failed to take remedial measures, farmers allege. 

Agriculture Minister Somireddy ChandramohanReddy  saidthat they would be placing proposal before the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidurequesting him to give clearance for acquisition of 100 acres of lands for agriculture needs in other mandals where influence of pollution is less. He intends to distribute the land to affected farmers.

But, the farmers question why such acquisition is required. State government has failed to bring pressure on the thermal power plant managements to maintain quality standards, they maintain.

It may be recalled that the scientists of Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University have confirmed the ill effects of pollution from thermal plants. Senior scientist and Head, Agriculture Research Station, Nellore, Dr P Rajasekhar and the team found in April last year that deposit of ash in Musunuruvaripalem area in Muthukurmandalhas been damaging the crops.

The fly ash from the plants basically contains oxides of silicon, aluminium, iron and calcium which influence growth of crops. Magnesium, potassium, sodium, titanium, and sulphur are also present in the substance, scientists say.

Studies conducted by the agricultural scientists revealed that deposition of fly ash has been affecting  photo-synthesis, stomatal conductance, leaf temperature  and productivity of rice.The team visited paddy fields of varieties such as MTU 1010, BPT 5204 and 555 grown in the areas when farmers lodged complaints on damage of grains due to fly ash and presence of residues of ash on the plants.

“The state government has failed to take action against the managements of thermal power plants and is planning for land acquisition to give the same to affected farmers which is ridiculous,’’ the farmers maintain. Moreover, the thermal plants had failed to allocate 33 per cent of area for green cover which is a mandatory. They are also releasing toxic emissions into nearby canals and the sea,” said a ruling party leader from Muthukurmandal. 

He also admitted that there are three thermal plants, 20 edible oil processing units and the port are highly polluting environment and 20 villages have been badly affected. 

Another farmer from Thallapudi questioned why the government is showing sympathy over pollution creating thermal plants and industries and asked rationality of shifting of people to other areas. Crops are being dried up due to the thermal plants, he said.