Medha for greater powers to local bodies

Palakkad, Nov 18: Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar today said enactments should be made to provide more powers to Gram Panchayts to deal with environmental issues.

Addressing a meeting of organisations spearheading the anti-Cola agitation at Plachimada, near here, she said strict action should be taken against multi-national companies like Coca-Cola which exploited groundwater resources causing misery to local farmers.

Ms Patkar said the Coke plant at Plachimada should be closed down and compensation be given to the people affected because of its functioning.

She also addressed organisations leading an agitation against the pollution caused by iron smeltering and steel re-rolling mills at Kanjikode.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Patkar urged the State Government and the Pollution Control Bord to take strict action against the mills which posed a threat to normal life because of their pollution.

UNI