Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Mar 10: Founder president of Jayasrikrishna Parisara Premi Samiti, Tonse Jayakrishna Shetty, said that Udupi Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) has been given three months time to solve the problems created to the people because of its fly ash deposits and leaking of saline water.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday March 9, he said that the Samiti will do its best to close UPCL, if the company fails to convince the people about the safety of the project, and that it is free from any problems, within the said period.

“UPCL has failed to keep up with the commitment it made in an agreement with the Samiti. As a result of the follow up undertaken by the Samiti, the Chief Minister has promised to solve the problems created by the company. We condemn the way in which district president of Rajya Raita Sangha, Vijayakumar Hegde, insulted Pejavar Swamiji, he said.

A detailed letter has been addressed to the union environment minister about the harms inflicted on the people by UPCL, and he has asked Karnataka Pollution Control Board to submit a detailed report. The people’s representatives and the government should take steps to prove to the people that UPCL is free from any problems. This is the second unit in the country to have employed Fluid Gas Desulphurization technique. If the company fails to show concerns towards solving the problems faced by the people, the government should not hesitate to file cases against it,” he added.

Surendra Mendon and Jayakar Hejmadi were present.