After MiD DAY's report on the spice company's Vikhroli plant causing throat and nose problems for residents, the management closed the factory unit
After MiD DAY's report on the spice company's Vikhroli plant causing throat and nose problems for residents, the management closed the factory unit
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The action came a day after MiD DAY reported on how the popular masala maker's Vikhroli plant was causing residents health problems.u00a0
This paper had highlighted ('Chilly woes put Everest in a soup', on December 20) the complaints of residents of Ramnagar and Suryanagar in the vicinity of the plant, who said that that they have been suffering from severe throat congestion and eye irritation for years, owing to the emissions issued continuously from the spice factory.
Fed up, they even staged morchas outside the factory and the local police station, but claim that their cries of protest fell on deaf ears.
MiD DAY's report on December 20u00a0
u00a0A show cause notice was also slapped on the company by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) following activist Sudhir Singh's complaint who took up the issue on behalf of the harried residents.
But Singh, an NCP affiliate, said he was still contemplating court action. "The MPCB and BMC officials were bribed by the company to let it continue operating as long as it did. They should have visited the area to check the air pollution. Now I am going to file a petition against BMC, MPCB and Everest officials," said Singh.
Incidentally, when MiD DAY spoke with the residents on Monday, they said that the company had shut down the plant, but the workers operated from the closed unit at times.
The other side
"I have been running this plant for the last 18 years. It will take some time in transferring it. We have heeded the complaints of residents and are doing our best for them. You are welcome to visit the company and see for yourself," said T J Laxman, general manager and spokesperson for Everest Company.
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