CPI DEMANDS : KERALA GOVERNMENT MUST INITIATE MOVES AGAINST COCA-COLA

CPI DEMANDS : KERALA GOVERNMENT MUST INITIATE MOVES AGAINST COCA-COLA
The Report of the High Power Committee that was set up by the Kerala Government in April 2009 to assess the extent of damages caused by the Coca-Cola plant at Plachimada has come out with its report.

After a thorough scientific assessment of the damages caused to ground water, human health, agricultural live-stock, and labour and livelihood, the Committee has put the estimate to a total of Rs. 216.26 crores.

As usual the multinational Coca-Cola has ignored the Committee. But basing on the principle laid down by the Supreme Court that the 'polluter pays the price', the Kerala Government must follow up the report of its own committee by initiating legal and administrative steps to assess the individual claims and the actual compensation to be decreed. Coca-Cola must be made to pay.

The Communist Party of India recalls the massive agitation that was launched in the entire district of Palakkad against the Coca-Cola plant which compelled the Government to set up the High Power Committee. A similar movement must now be launched to make the Coca-Cola to pay for the damage caused.