UPCL: KRRS plea to hold meet

In a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, KRRS district unit President Vijaykumar Hegde said that the district administration had twice postponed the meeting without giving any reason. In fact, the KRRS had given an ultimatum of November 5 to hold the meeting. However, the meeting was not held so far and villagers have been disappointed with the attitude of the district administration.

He alleged that the district administration is supporting the UPCL which has been creating problems to the people of the region.

“It would be difficult for the people in the villages affected by the UPCL power plant to come all the way to Udupi. The hall at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, where the meeting of the committee, twice scheduled to be held, was small to accommodate people from the villages.

Hence, the meeting should be held in Padubidri. The people of the region want to air their grievances,” the memorandum said.

“The villagers want to narrate health related problems caused by the polution from UPCL. They also want to explain the damage incurred to crops and intrusion of salt water into wells. The UPCL has been shut down for annual maintenance. Seer Sri Vishwesha Theertha swamiji had said that the term of the license issued to the company has also expired.

Hence, the UPCL should not be allowed to operate till the expert committee visits the spot and listens to the woes of the people and pollution related problems are solved. The KRRS will endorse the stand of the Swamiji,” he added.