Polluting unit plan scrapped

This is probably a first in the history of Giridih.
Giving into public protests, the local administration today stalled the construction of a sponge iron unit by Shivam Group in Udnabad on pollution grounds. It also promised the villagers that no clearance would be given to any such plant in the future without a public hearing.
The decision was taken by Giridih deputy commissioner Vandana Dadel today after a meeting with the villagers and representatives of Shivam Group. Dadel accepted that there was distrust among the villagers because of the existing sponge iron units that cause pollution.
Soon after the announcement, villagers under the banner of Purwanchan Prayawaran Sangharsh Samiti lifted their indefinite dharna that began on June 5. At the meeting, Dadel first heard the 11-member group of Purwanchan Prayawaran Sangharsh Samiti, led by villagers Dilip Upadhyay and Kedar Yadav. Upadhyay said they were not against industrialisation, but the opening of another sponge iron plant in Mohanpur region would only add to the already high level of pollution.
Their other demands were installation of an electro-static precipitator (ESP) machine that would function round the clock, return of land acquired from villagers without registry, restructure of district environment committee (DEC) to include the people from the industrial belt and arrest of industrialists who threaten the villagers.
Pramod Agrawal, one of the owners of Shivam Group, argued that they had followed all pollution norms. But the villagers refused to buy his theory. After listening to both the sides, Dadel said that the ongoing work on the sponge iron plant would be stopped. She added that she would soon form a committee of specialists, who would visit factories to ensure functioning of ESP.
Efforts will be taken to restructure DEC while the circle officer will conduct an inquiry to find out whose land had been forcefully acquired.
On the controversial issue of threat, superintendent of police A.V. Minz asked Upadhyay to file a complaint so that he could order a probe.