Congress joins Nirma plant protest

In a move set to strengthen the protest against Nirma’s upcoming cement plant in Mahuva, the Congress party has joined hands with BJP MLA Kanu Kalsaria for the cause.

Kalsaria has been protesting against the industrial group, which has been given permission by the state government to set up a cement factory, a move expected to impact a waterbody and agricultural land in the area.

“Post the Shelat Committee recommendations and a High Court judgement, Nirma has been asked to set up the plant in only 168 hectares as against 268 hectares allotted to it. But the company is not letting go of the centre of a waterbody called Samdhiyala. This will not only impact irrigation in the region but also general livelihood of the farmers. While we have been protesting against it, Rahul Gandhi has also now asked his Youth Congress members to join us,” said Kalsaria.

In association with Youth Congress, Kalsaria is hosting a huge gathering of farmers on September 5, 2010 at Mahuva wherein participation of around one lakh people is expected.

The government has also sanctioned 3,480 hectares on lease to Nirma for setting up a plant and carrying out limestone mining for manufacturing cement from the plant.

“There are also two dams coming up in the area. The government authorities say the area is under salinity and the land is not fertile for agriculture and hence should be given out to industries. However, farmers have been telling that once dams are constructed, water would be available for irrigation and this land is very fertile.”

“Apart from the protest against Nirma’s cement plant, we are also fighting for irrigation facilities for 2,500-odd villages in the 22 lakh hectares in Saurashtra-Gujarat regions,” said Kalsaria.