Uttarakhand CM doesn't want Coke, UltraTech plants

In a setback to Coca-Cola and UltraTech Cement, which are setting up plants in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Harish Rawat has declared that he is not focusing on industrialisation.

"I am not focusing on industrialisation," said Rawat, commenting on the two top companies which had signed MoUs with the government last year to set up plants in the state. Both companies are facing opposition from local people and environmentalists amid fears that the proposed plants might cause pollution in the state.

Sources close to the chief minister pointed out that Rawat was not in favour of all those industries which might harm the fragile ecology of the state.

In the wake of agitation by local people on environmental issues, the government is also treading a cautious path. While the proposed investment by Coke is around Rs 600 core, UltraTech is willing to invest Rs 5,000 crore in a phased manner in the two plants.

Elaborating his point on industrialisation, Rawat said he was focusing on the reconstruction and rehabilitation process in the wake of the June 2013 deluge.