KUMUD JENAMANI
Jamshedpur, Dec 30: The public hearing on Shah Sponge & Power Ltd’s expansion program was held as scheduled, but it was like a volcano erupted in the countryside near Jamshedpur that happened never before.
A section of the local residents are in support of the expansion of the existing sponge iron unit because there is no other source of sustenance for them except for the rickety agricultural activities. Moreover, this section of the local residents seems to be more inclined to favour for the expansion even at the cost of the health of their children because a cement factory located in the adjoining area has been closed, leaving several locals jobless.
Most villagers against expansion
Anger and despair writ large on the faces of the majority of the gullible villagers while they were given a chance to speak whether there are in favour of the expansion of the sponge iron unit or not.
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“Let there be more and more units in Hata like the Shah Sponge &Power Ltd, but we want our surroundings clear of any pollution. First let us breath fresh air but while we are dying due to the polluted atmosphere, then what is the meaning of industrialisation here,” observed one of the residents of Tetla panchayat while speaking at the public hearing.
With a microphone in his hand, the resident went on speaking about the pollution being caused by the sponge iron unit and even demanded the closure of the existing unit.
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Another speaker who hails from a village five km away from the location of the sponge iron unit said cultivation has been badly affected ever since the industrial unit was set up. He pointed out that the ambience of his village is no longer the same as it was before the Shah sponge iron unit came up here about 18 years ago.
“Children, as well as elderly people, are falling frequently sick and diseases like asthma, TB and even cancer have become common due to the pollution caused by the Shah sponge.
Apart from the local residents, most people and the Mukhiyas while speaking at the “Jan Sunwaai” raised the issue of pollution caused by the Shah sponge iron unit and urged the officials of the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) present there to ensure a pollution-free atmosphere around the sponge iron unit.
Officials of JSPCB, company restless
The voice against the sponge iron unit was growing intensely during the hearing, but it seemed cut short as the representatives of the sponge iron unit management as well as the JSPCB officials were apparently restless.
SOR, Jamshedpur, Dipu Kumar who represented the district administration seemed to have fulfilled the official formality only.
“We have covered the public hearing procedure under videography. The entire proceedings will be sent to the government of India’s concerned department. And it is up to that department whether to grant permission for the expansion of the existing sponge iron unit or not,” said Dipu Kumar.
JMM leader cites employment
Significantly, the regional officer, JSPCB, Ram Pravesh Kumar who was holding the public hearing while wrapping up the hearing took the name of a JMM leader, Sunil Mahto to speak at the end of the hearing.
And soon after the JMM leader started speaking, applauding the Shah Sponge & Power Ltd and claimed “we are committed for the industrial development of this area. We will ensure that more and more local youths may get employment in the sponge iron unit when its expansion program gets through. ”
Sunil Mahto spoke in a way as if there is no resentment from the local residents concerning the pollution aspect and everything is fine.
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Expansion was initiated without permission
Located at Hata in Potka block in East Singhbhum district, Shah Sponge &Power Ltd is going to increase its capacity to fourfold.
In fact, the management of the sponge iron unit had already started constructing infrastructure for the expansion of the unit without taking permission from the JSPCB but after the matter came to the notice of the pollution control board, the company management was subjected to go through the public hearing.
Regional officer, JSPCB, Ram Pravesh Kumar while talking to The Jharkhand Story confirmed that the Shah Sponge & Power Ltd had begun its expansion program without informing the department concerned.
“We have, therefore, already penalised the sponge iron unit as the expansion program was being carried out without our permission. But as the matter relates to the employment of a large number of people, we have allowed to hold a public hearing for the expansion program, ” said Kumar while talking to this correspondent.
