Nayagarh: The construction of a new ethanol plant by ‘Juststrive Industries Private Ltd’, which has its headquarters in Hyderabad, has sparked resentment among locals and environmentalists in Nayagarh district. It is coming up in Haridabandha mouza of Badagotha panchayat under Nuagaon block. However, locals pointed out that it is being constructed on a plot of 60 acres of land which is close to an elephant corridor. This will certainly affect wildlife and the environment, they added. The matter came to the fore after members of local outfit, ‘Anchalik Vikash Parishad’ and residents of Mahipur and Badagotha areas met Nayagarh District Collector Swadha Dev Singh and submitted a written complaint in this regard Monday. They urged the district collector to intervene and stop the construction of the ethanol plant.
The agitators have also alleged that the management of the company has illegally acquired 26 acres of ‘pasture land’ for the construction of a road adjacent to the plant. They added that despite repeated protests, road construction has started on the land. The locals also alleged that the plant authorities are going ahead with their plans without the necessary clearances from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB). They pointed out that their livestock will suffer if the pasture land is converted into a road. The registration of 60 acres of land in the name of ‘Juststrive Industries Private Ltd’ without a proper road connection has come as a huge shock to the residents of the area. Usually, in such cases, companies have to show that they have acquired industrial land with road connectivity.
However, in this case, the rules have not been followed, the members of ‘Anchalik Vikash Parishad’ pointed out. They added that the status of the land had been changed to ‘Gharabari’ (homestead) which indicates ample proof of foul play. The villagers informed that when a common man purchases land without having a proper road connection, registration is denied.
However, in this case, all rules have been waived. They added that the 26 acres of land couldn’t have been acquired by the plant management without the tacit involvement of the local administration. One of the owners of the company, Ajay Kumar Mohanty however, asserted that the plant is being constructed after getting all the necessary permissions and clearances from state-owned IPICOL. He also said that permission to construct the road on pasture land has been obtained. Mohanty added that they are holding discussions with villagers who are against road construction, to solve the matter amicably. He pointed out that setting up of the plant will help people as local residents will get jobs and there will be many who will indirectly benefit from the unit.