Report on Coca Cola under government consideration

The Kerala government today said it is considering the recommendations of an expert Committee that asked the state to recover Rs216.26 crore as damages for the "multi-sectoral loss" caused by Coca Cola plant in Palakkad district.
    
The government would initiate steps as per rules after a detailed examination of the report, chief minister VS Achuthanandan said told the state Assembly.
    
The state-government appointed committee, that studied sectoral losses caused by the Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd plant at Plachimada, in its report submitted last week had stated that as per preliminary assessment there was a loss to a tune of Rs216.26 crores to the local people.
    
The report held that besides heavy withdrawal of ground water, the plant had inflicted harm to farming and environment in the area by dumping solid waste.
    
The committee wanted the state government to set up a tribunal or ask the Centre to constitute an authority under Environment laws to adjudicate the claims of persons who suffered loss and to realise that amount from the company as compensation, Achuthanandan said, responding to a submission by MK Preamnath (JD-S).