Telangana: Coca-Cola unit faces public opposition as villagers refuse to part with their lands in Peddapalli

The Industrial Park is proposed to come up near Ratnapur of Ramagiri mandal in Peddapalli. Angry villagers say Telangana government’s move will leave them with no land for cultivation

PEDDAPALLI:  Residents of Ratnapur are sticking to their stance on not giving up their lands for the proposed Industrial Park.

The villagers, who had earlier given up a considerable chunk of their lands for Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), say they will be left with no land to cultivate crops if the government takes away their lands for the proposed park.

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The locals are also unhappy as recently they had to give up lands for a national highway.

The Industrial Park is part of the Telangana government’s plans to set up industrial units in remote areas as well. It is proposed to come up near Ratnapur of Ramagiri mandal, 22 km from the district headquarters.

The park is proposed to be developed on 203 acres located near the hillocks of the ancient Ramagiri Khila.

American beverage major Coca-Cola is among the companies that plan to unit here. However, the government’s plans are in limbo after the locals refused to part with their land.

Of the 203 acres, the government has only 38 acres and the remaining 165 acres — mostly patta lands — belong to private persons. This has prompted the government to go for large-scale land acquisition.

According to villagers, officials conducted surveys in their agricultural fields without notice. Villagers came to know about the industrial park when the list of land oustees was displayed in the gram panchayat along with the names and extent of land to be acquired in February.

They then met IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu and informed him of their decision. The Minister had assured them that he would look for land in another location.

However, despite the Minister’s assurance, TGIIC Karimnagar General Manager Maheshwar, a Coca-Cola Company representative and other officials reached the village for a location visit on March 18. The furious villagers prevented them from proceeding and protested against the park in front of their vehicles.

They alleged that the government was conspiring to take their lands without their permission. How could the government acquire lands without conducting grama sabhas, they asked.

Their anger is simmering as the government has not yet revealed its next move.