The issue in connection with the alleged pollution caused by Kitex Garments Limited at Kizhakkambalam remains unresolved even after convening several meetings and discussions.
The standoff between the company and the action council still continues. With the meeting convened by the Kizhakkambalam gramapanchayat on November 28 deciding to serve notice to the company for not implementing the decisions of the committee formed to solve the issue, the company officials said that they have not received any official intimation about the recommendations of the committee.
The protest of the residents has crossed 500-odd days in October this year, the natives allege that the company has not taken any steps to realise the recommendations of the committee convened by the Excise Minister K Babu on February 26. Alias Karipra, vice-president, Kizhakkambalam Gramapanchayat said the plight of the residents against the pollution caused by the company still continues and the panchayat is also with them.
“It came to the notice of the panchayat that the company has not adhered to any of the suggestions of the committee. We have decided at the meeting to issue a notice to Kitex Garments for implementing these recommendations. The notice would be given to the company soon. Though the action council also approached the District Collector asking to implement these suggestions, nothing has happened so far,” he said.
The recommendations include, construction of a pond ont Kitex premises, recycling and reusing of waste water, setting up of a new treatment plant and stoppage of letting out of effluent water to the company premises.
However, Kitex Garments Limited managing director Sabu Jacob refuted all the allegations and said the company has not received any communications from the higher authorities for implementing the recommendations.
“Till now three committees were formed - a High Court-appointed committee, another by the District Collector and an expert committee to solve the so-called pollution issue. The action council and panchayat officials are ruling out all the suggestions by these committees. Unless and until a final version is heard from the concerned authorities the issue could not be solved,” he said.
He added that the company has received license from the Pollution Control Board as per the order of the High Court till May 2015.