Power plant: Pejavar seer to start hunger strike

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Udupi, Jan 5: Reiterating that the Karnataka Government and the Nagarjuna Power Company Limited (NPCL), executors of the coal-based thermal power project in the district, have a detailed discussion with those opposing the project, Sri Vishvesha Thirtha Swamiji of the Udupi Pejavar Mutt today announced that he would embark on a token hunger strike on January 13 in support of the agitation.

Addressing a press conference here, he said he would fast from 0900 hrs on January 13 to 0900 hrs next day in support of the agitators sitting on a dharna against the project. If he was not convinced about the need for the plant here, he would further intensify the stir, but not go on fast-unto-death as reported in a section of the media, he clarified.

The pontiff said the Government had expressed its inability to stop the project at this stage, fearing strictures from the court as in the case of the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project.

While the Government contended that it could not go back on the commitment given to NPCL, environmentalists and those opposing the project were irked at the Government's ''inaction'' on the recommendations of the committees appointed by the previous Government, highlighting the ecological damage to be caused by the project. He would also consult legal experts on the issue, he added.

Stating that he was ready to bear the expenses for holding a metting of NPCL officials and experts at a place mutually agreeable to both the parties, he said he was not yet totally convinced with the arguments put forth by NPCL.

Condemning the continuation of prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC in the project site since November 17 last year, the seer strongly urged the Government to immediately stop all ongoing works at the site till the meeting was held.

Thanking the State Government for its bold decision to ban sale of arrack in the State, he urged the Government to enforce the ban soon, which would save lakhs of poor families. Taking exception to the Government's move to distribute eggs to school children in the mid-day meal programme, he said that instead, more nutritious items like fruits or milk could be served.


UNI

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