Staff Reporter
Activists term decision to ban Coca-Cola and Pepsi a bold one
HAIL LDF GOVERNMENT: A procession taken out by the Anti-Cola Agitation Committee and the Solidarity Youth Movement at Plachimada in Palakkad on Wednesday.
PALAKKAD:
There is jubilation in Plachimada and Kanjikode in Palakkad district over the decision of the State Government to ban the production and sale of Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola after the soft drinks have been ``found injurious to health.''
The two places have been in the news for quite some time in the wake of agitations by local people demanding the closure of the plants of the soft drink majors there.
The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) took out a march to the Coca-Cola unit at Plachimada on Wednesday hailing the decision.
The Solidarity Youth Movement took out a march through the streets of Palakkad and held a public meeting at the town bus stand. Leaders of the Plachimada Solidarity Committee spoke at the meeting.
A satyagraha in front of the Hindustan Coca-Cola bottling plant at Plachimada demanding the closure of the unit completed 1,745 days on Wednesday. Anti-Coca-Cola Agitation Committee secretary Velur Swaminathan said the agitation would be withdrawn in the light of the Government's decision.
The Anti-Pepsi Cola Agitation Committee at Kanjikode welcomed the decision, describing it as a `very bold' one to protect the health of people and the groundwater resources of the district.
M.P. Veerendrakumar, MP, who championed the cause of Plachimada tribals by launching the agitation in 2002 against the depletion of water table and pollution of well water in the area, said he wholeheartedly welcomed the decision. Cola drinks, he said, are not nutritious and are injurious to health. If these units continue the exploitation of groundwater in Palakkad, a major agriculture area of the State, it will become a desert soon.
Mr. Veerendrakumar, who is also State Janata Dal (Secular) president, said it was the victory of the Perumatty grama panchayat which stood by the poor tribals and fought for their cause against the multinational giant.
Mr. Veerendrakumar urged the Union Government to follow the Kerala Government's example and ban cola drinks throughout the country. He congratulated the Chief Minister for taking the decision.
In a statement, Plachimda Solidarity Committee convener R. Ajayan and patron Vilayodi Venugopal said the Government should immediately implement the historic decision and make the company pay compensation to all affected people, especially those at Plachimada.
Hailing the decision, Perumatty grama panchayat former president M. Krishnan said it was a recognition of the decision taken by him as president of the panchayat not to renew the licence of the plant on April 7, 2003.
Plachimada tribal leader Mayilamma, who led the agitation against Coke, demanded compensation to the people of Plachimada.
Former Chittur MLA K. Krishnakutty said that in order to stop companies such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola from making and selling their products found injurious to health and the environment, the Government had to immediately amend the Industrial Act, Food Act, Groundwater Act, etc.
Anti-Pepsi Cola Agitation Committee president K.P. Suresh Raj demanded that the Government implement its decision in all earnestness.
R.Ajayan
Convener
Plachimada Solidarity Committee
Ph:- Res 0471-2730464
Mob- 09847142513
Res Add - Neerajam,
Kudappanakunnu,
Trivandrum-695043
Kerala, India
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