VEDANTA GROUP- PUBLIC MUST KNOW THE FACTS
VEDANTA GROUP- PUBLIC
MUST KNOW THE FACTS
Vedanta group took over 65% stakes in Hindustan Zinc Ltd
(HZL) from GOI during the year 2000 as part of PSU disinvestment plan. The
plant is having 365 acre prime real estate land base in close proximity to
Vishakhapatnam city. In fact the land
was acquired from poor farmers with promise of jobs and industrial development.
They ran the unit for about 10 years and in 2012 closed the unit citing the
reasons of pollution and raw material availability. In fact there are no serious complaints about
pollution from public and as the raw material is from their own mines it is not
an issue at all and its clearly evident that VEDANTA GROUP want to close down
the unit with some lame excuses and exploit the commercial value of the
land.
In fact there are HPCL, Coromandel Fertilizers functioning
next to HZL and there are no problems with pollution. How GOI did allow VEDANTA GROUP to stop
production at HZL? What is the hidden agenda and cost of the deal?
They approached GOI to give them permission to sell or
develop the land as real estate and make huge money out of it. They also approached AP state Government and
continuously putting pressure for converting the land from industrial use to
commercial residential use. As I heard their plans are to go for shopping
complex, corporate hospitals, commercial complex and residential towers.
Even the worst part is that VEDANTA GROUP wants to establish
zinc smelter unit in another port town in AP, either Kakinada or Krishnapatnam
and signed MOU with state in CII summit. This group is asking for 1200 acres
land from AP state at concessional rate and proposed to put 6000 crores
investment in two phases.
What is the need for closing existing running unit located in
a port city citing the pollution and difficulties of getting raw material from
Rajasthan as reasons and proposing similar unit in another port city in the same
state? How the problems of shifting raw material and pollution will be solved
with new unit? If they are proposing new technology, they can implement the
same in existing plant.
This group from Mr. Anil Agarwal looks to be very cunning and
interest is more in real estate than industrial production and employment
generation. If Governments are blind folded
and play with MOUs and agreements while allotting lands for industries, these
real estate hungry industrial groups will grease the palms and grab the lands
for a song.
The new state of AP is struggling to attract new industry to
develop the state. If this 365 acre land from HZL can be taken back as for the
original allotment conditions in the year 2000 and allot the same to entrepreneurs , the
area will flourish with industrial growth and employment. If the state
encourage this group by allotting 1200 acres in the vicinity of port cities,
may be in next 20 years they will close the unit and again go for real estate
ventures. The state must encourage industry with right intentions, certainly
not the groups whose eye is for real estate. Of AP state decide to allot land
for new zinc smelter, the land allotment conditions must be made stringent so
that the group shall not be in a position to use it for real estate.
When it comes to the units of copper smelter near Tuticorin
in Tamil Nadu or Bauxite mining from Niyamgiri hills, Kalahandi Dist, Orissa ,
Vedanta group want proceed with their activities despite public uproar related
to pollution, spread of cancer, environmental degradation etc. TN Govt under
the leadership of Purachi Talaivi Late Jailalitha closed this unit in Tuticorin
and after her demise taking advantage of prevailing weak leadership in TN; this
group is trying to reopen the unit, resulting in yesterday’s unfortunate
incident of violence and killing of innocent people in police firing.
VEDANTA GROUP CLOSED THE VIZAG UNIT AS IT IS ADVANTAGE TO
THEM TO GO FOR REAL ESTATE. WHEN IT COMES TO TUTICORIN THEY WANT TO RUN THE UNIT
AT ANY COST AS THERE IS NO REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY.
REMEMBER THESE TYPES OF
INTERNAL ENEMIES ARE MORE DANGEROUS THAN EXTERNAL ENEMIES.
B GURUVA
REDDY-9866889246
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