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Villagers oppose Aurobindo pharma unit’s expansion
Residents of Chittivalasa and Pydibhimavaram villages in Ranastalam mandal in the district opposed the expansion of existing pharmaceutical industry.
- District Collector, Pollution Control Board (PNB) hold public hearing on expansiopn
- Villagers complain of pollution
Srikakulam: Residents of Chittivalasa and Pydibhimavaram villages in Ranastalam mandal in the district opposed the expansion of existing pharmaceutical industry. A public hearing was conducted at Pydibhimavaram village on expansion in the presence of District Collector and Pollution Control Board (PCB) officials on Wednesday. The management of the Aurobindo industry chalked out a plan to expand its unit at a cost of Rs 250 crore and create an additional 250 regular and 600 contract jobs.
Around 350 persons from two villages attended the public hearing. Most of them opposed the expansion of the industry as it would lead to polluting the environment which, in turn, would lead to cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Some of them demanded sanctioning of more funds to the two severely affected villages due to pollution under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The residents also raised their voice over injustice meted out to them in providing employment in the unit.
They demanded the allotment of 70 per cent jobs to the local residents of two affected villages out of total jobs in the company then only they will allow for its expansion. In all, 6,000 people are residing in Chittivalasa and Pydibhimavaram villages located around the company.
After listening to their grievances, District Collector K Dhanunjaya Reddy assured them that he would take necessary action.
PCB executive engineer T Sudarshanam said that they would sent a detailed report on the people’s demands to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Changes (MEFCC).
Srikakulam RDO B Dayanidhi, DSP V Bhima Rao, tahsildar S Sriramulu, and representatives of Aurobindo Pharmaceutical Company were present on the occasion.
