Industries giving 'illegal' relief to farmers in Koppal

Several industrial units in the district have made a ‘private arrangement’ with farmers by providing them compensation for the crop loss due to the effluents released into their fields.

However, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) contends that there is no provision in the law for such compensation.

According to documents accessed by Deccan Herald, eight industries in the district are distributing a compensation of Rs 1,20,57,194 to 906 farmers.

Vanya Steels Private Limited, Dhruvadesh Meta Steels Private Limited, Trivista Steel Power Private Limited and Harekrishna Metaliks Private Limited at Hirebaganal village of the taluk; Baba Akhila Saijyothi Industries Limited and Arshad Ispat near Kerehalli village; Bhadrashri Steel and Power Limited near Kunikeri and MSPL Company Limited near Halavarthi are the companies distributing such compensation to the farmers.

M Sridhar, regional officer of KSPCB, says if there are complaints that a particular industry is causing harm to the environment, soil fertility and is responsible for crop loss, the department concerned has to conduct the necessary tests, determine the extent of loss and arrive at a compensation amount to be paid.

An officer, on condition of anonymity, said the ‘private arrangement’ of paying compensation was only a convention and it was not a practice in keeping with the law.

If the farmers are indeed affected by the effluents, they should bring it to the notice of KSPCB, which will look into the issue, he added.