MRPL: Panel meeting put off for sixth time

The meeting of the high-level committee set up to look into the issues of pollution from Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) was postponed for the sixth time in one month. The panel was set up to suggest solutions to check the pollution.

The committee chaired by the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner was supposed to take a decision on the complaints against MRPL from the residents of Jokatte and surrounding areas. The committee had not met for eight months. The meeting was scheduled to be held on Monday, but as District In-charge Minister U T Khader could not come to the district, the meeting was postponed.

The committee comprises the local MP, Moodbidri and Mangaluru North MLAs, Police Commissioner, MCC Commissioner, ZP CEO, DCF, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Regional Officer, MRPL Managing Director, MSEZ Managing Director, five representatives from Jokatte Nagarika Horata Samithi. Members of the technical committee constituted to study the pollution (led by NITK Professor Dr Srinikethan) is also a part of these meetings.

Muneer Katipalla of the Horata Samithi (and member of the committee) said, "The meeting was not called for eight months. No measures were taken to check pollution. As the district in-charge minister is in a resort, the meeting was put off again. Due to the negligence of elected representatives, people are suffering. The meeting was cancelled for the sixth time. How will such committees get justice to people?"