Proposal of drug factory faces villagers ire

Mahbubnagar: The tribals of Balanagar mandal in Mahbubnagar staged a protest against the district administration’s move to help set up a chemical factory to manufacture drugs and medicines at Jeedigutta village of Gunded mandal on Friday.

In fact, Joint Collector Venkat Rao along with other officials visited Jeedigutta village to secure the opinion of local people for setting up of a drug manufacturing factory over 6 acres of land.

However, before the he could reach the spot, a large number of tribals gathered there and staged a protest demanding the district administration to reconsider their decision of setting up of the factory in their village. They expressed apprehensions and concerns that the hazardous pollution emanating from the company may adversely impact on their lives.

“We do not want any chemical factory to be set up in our village. We are told that the hazardous waste emanating from the chemical factory will impact on our land, water and air and not only will that it also adversely affect our health, “ said the villagers.

“Though they are luring us that it will help provide employment to the local people, but we are not sure about it. Therefore, we have opposed and asked the officials not to permit any kind of chemical or drug manufacturing factory in our village,” they added.

However, the officials claimed that they held a meeting with the villagers only to secure their opinion on the possible setting up a drug manufacturing company. The authorities will take a final call on the issue based on the demands of the villagers and a final decision will be taken only after all parties and stake holders come to a consensus.

But the villagers are vehemently opposing the proposed setting up of the drug manufacturing company in their village and if the government takes any decision against their wishes, they will continue their protest until they achieve their demands.