Power game: One phone call fixes forbidden factory

What happens when an RTI activist forces the closure of a factory in a residential area by getting Bescom officials to cut the power supply? They get generators.

On November 17, 2011, the BBMP had cancelled the licence to Divya Silks, a factory at Gayathri Nagar, a residential area. This was after it was brought to their notice by Manjula, an RTI activist.

Nevertheless, the power to the factory was cut only on Sunday, almost three months after the licences were cancelled and after the issue was brought to the notice of the Bescom MD. “On Monday morning, a tempo carrying a generator was brought to the factory, and I believe they will begin operations soon, although their licences have been cancelled,” she said.

She added that people simply did not realise the gravity of the situation. “The factory does not have a no-objection certificate from the fire or the pollution control board. Apart from the fact that the noise pollution from the factory affects all of us, the fact that if there is a fire, it will soon spread to many houses here, is simply not understood,” she said. “Every time I go out, there is someone from the factory following me,” she said.

Manjula said that political leaders have called to express their opinion on the matter. She said that a prominent politician had called, asking her to withdraw her complaint against the factory owners. There have also been allegations that Dr Ashwath Narayan, MLA of Malleswaram constituency, had called Bescom officials and requested them to restore power supply. Despite repeated efforts, DNA was unable to get in touch with him.