India: Cashew processing unit reopens

The cashew nut processing unit in Jansale in Kundapur taluk which was closed temporarily due to the protests by the villagers against the functioning of the unit, has started functioning again from January 4.

After the reopening of the unit, the villagers have yet again complained that the pollution level in the region has gone up because of the waste discharged from the unit.
Two villagers Ambarish and Subhash from Kasanakatte have submitted a complaint to the Gram Panchayat recently on the same issue. In August, 2011 the oil stored in the unit had leaked  and had damaged 40 acres of farm land in Jansale, Hanchinangady, Meljaddu and Kasanakatte villages.
The villagers staged a protest against the Gram Panchayat pertaining to the incident and had submitted complaints to the Deputy Commissioner, the Health and the Environment officers. After an altercation between the victims and the factory supporters, it was decided in the Gram Panchayat that the unit shall not be reopened without the permission of the villagers. The GP had passed an order to close the unit and had asked the unit management to obtain necessary license from the departments concerned for the functioning of the factory.
With the reopening of the unit from January 4, the factory is causing trouble to the villagers as it leaves out dark smoke and bad smell. The black dust has been strongly affecting the villages, causing fear among the villagers of some pulmonary disorders.
Speaking to Deccan Herald the villagers Shekhar Kulal and Boja Kulal complained that none of the officers are listening to their problems. The officers are favouring the factory owners due to political influence. We would complain to the Lokayukta, they said.
GP member Bharath Kamath who is also the partner of the factory said that they have received permission from the departments concerned to start the unit. “We have invested a lot and made proper arrangements like the pipe to release the smoke, tank to store the oil etc,” informed Bharath.
Siddhapur Panchayat Development Officer Gayatri said that though the unit owner had written recently to the GP informing about reopening the factory, the GP has not given permission for restarting the unit. The owner of the unit has been directed to obtain license from the departments concerned, she said.

Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/223245/cashew-processing-unit-reopens.html