Dharna against coal-based power plant in K'taka enters 5th day

Mangalore, Dec 26 (UNI) Even as the dharna against the proposed coal based thermal power plant near Padubidre in Udupi entered the fifth day today, protesters burnt an effigy symbolising Nagarjuna Power Company Limited and executors of the project, at the Padubidre junction connecting Udupi-Mangalore and Padubidre-Kalasa road.

Former Minister Vasanth V Salian embarked on a token hunger strike, while Udupi Taluk Panchayat member Kiran Kumar sat on a 36 hours fast opposing the coal-based thermal plant in the district.

Udupi MP Manorama Madhwaraj, former MP Vinaykumar Sorake, several local Congress leaders and members of nearby gram panchayats took part in the dharna.

Meanwhile, Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes said he opposed any coal-based thermal project in the district and assured that he would take up the matter with the Union Minister concerned as soon as he reached Delhi.

The local Congress leaders tried in vain to bring Mr Fernandes, who was in Udupi district, to the dharna spot. The minister, who visited the families of slain BJP leader Sukhananda Shetty and two persons killed in police firing in Mulky, presented a cheque for Rs 10,000 each to the kin of the two killed in the firing.

To a query, Mr Fernandes said discussions were on about bringing in a law for workers in the unorganised sector and the matter was expected to be taken up in the current session of Parliament.

He said the government was keen to find proper means to protect the interests of workers in the beedi industry. The warning label on beedi packs, scheduled for enforcement from February next year, had been postponed by another three months, he added.

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