BRS calls for renewed push for revival of Adilabad CCI plant

The BRS has extended full support to the demand for revival of the Cement Corporation of India plant in Adilabad, accusing the Centre of failing to act despite repeated assurances. At a round-table meeting in Hyderabad, party leaders and other political representatives warned that the plant could be handed over to private interests if the issue was ignored.

Hyderabad: The BRS has thrown its weight behind the demand for the revival of the Cement Corporation of India (CCI) plant in Adilabad, calling for a sustained movement to pressure the Centre and State governments to reopen the closed unit.

Speaking at a round-table meeting on “Revival of CCI and the responsibility of the Centre and State governments” organised by the Telangana Adhyayana Samalochana Kendra (TASK) at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram here on Friday, former Minister Jogu Ramanna alleged that the Centre had failed to act despite repeated assurances regarding revival of the plant.

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He said the previous BRS government offered to extend all possible support and incentives to facilitate revival. He said the BJP leaders from Telangana also promised to reopen the plant, but failed to take even a step towards fulfilling the assurance. He vowed that the BRS would continue its agitation until the plant was revived.

BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan alleged that the BJP-led Centre failed to fulfil commitments made to Telangana under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. He accused BJP MPs from Telangana of failing to raise the issue with the Centre and warned that the CCI plant could be handed over to private interests if people remained silent.

Justice Chandra Kumar demanded that BJP MPs and MLAs take responsibility for reopening the plant within six months or resign, alleging that the people had been given false assurances.

Telangana Jana Samithi president and MLC Prof M Kodandaram extended his party’s support to the revival movement and offered to take CCI representatives to Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu for discussions.

Former MLC Prof K Nageshwar said Adilabad had adequate limestone, clay, coal and land, making cement production economically viable. He noted that nearly 48 lakh metric tonnes of limestone reserves were available and stressed the plant’s strategic location between northern and southern markets.

CPM State secretary John Wesley alleged that there was a conspiracy to hand over CCI Adilabad to private companies. He said the plant could generate around 6,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs and demanded its immediate revival.

The meeting was attended by CCI revival committee members, displaced persons, political representatives, intellectuals and student leaders.