The Hindu Business Line : Coke claims victimisation in Kerala

COCA-COLA, which was asked to close its plant in Palakkad by the State Government, has said that it had never drawn excess water and allegations were cooked up by some vested interests with a motive to close down the unit.

"Nobody told us what we should do. The only refrain has been `close down the plant'," said Mr Rajesh Nair, Regional Quality Manager of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd.

Speaking at a function organised here by the Kerala Management Association (KMA) on `Facts on Coca-Cola Operations in Kerala', Mr Nair said the plant at Plachimada in Palakkad district never depleted the water resources in the nearby areas by drawing excess water. "We have only six bore wells in the plant. But the propaganda was that we had 60 bore wells drawing water," Mr Nair said. The plant had implemented rainwater harvesting facilities, using a 9,000 sq. m roof.

The Kerala Pollution Control Board had permitted the plant to draw 560 M3 water everyday but it used only 400 M3 a day. The prime reason for the water shortage in the area was deficient rainfall, Mr Nair claimed. "There are 27 other companies functioning in the district who use water, why only single out Coca-Cola?" Mr Nair asked.

The Kerala Government ordered the closure of the plant till the onset of monsoon after agitations broke out against the plant. Coke was accused of depleting groundwater in the area by drawing excess water.

"A handful of people in the area started agitation in April 2002, but nobody had bothered then. Last year, some others took over as they found that it is good platform for them," Mr Nair said.

He also countered the allegations that Coke supplied hazardous sledge from its plant as fertiliser to farmers around the plant. "We never supplied anything on our own. A few farmers requested us for the sledge after they saw its use within our plant," he said.

According to Mr Morris Wilson, Area General Manager, Coke's profitability of operation in the region had taken a severe beating due to the closure of the plant.

The company is currently sourcing from other plants in Tamil Nadu and Bangalore to cater to Kerala.

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