Min faces angry villagers at proposed sugar factory site

Farmers concerned about health, impact on crop pattern, pollution of water bodies if Mrunal Sugar factory comes up

- MALLIKARJUN HIREMATH @Dharwad

MINISTER of Women and Child Development, Disabled and Senior Citizens Empowerment Lakshmi Hebbalkar faced opposition from villagers during her visit to take part in rituals at the upcoming Mrunal Sugar factory in Yadwad village. Villagers have been opposing the factory citing various reasons like health, impact on crop pattern and pollution of water bodies. Hebbalkar visited the village on Thursday where hundreds of villagers went on a flash protest. The minister spoke to the protesters and assured that she will engage with them later too. A villager said, "Despite opposition from the villagers, the factory is being constructed. The rules for politicians and the poor seem to be different."

While the villagers are fighting for their livelihood, people with power and money have enough to take care of their future generations."

"We have been opposing the factory in the village, irrespective of party affiliation or other issues. Above all, if this factory is set up at the same spot which has been selected, it is nothing but victory of power and money and suppressing of poor people's voice. Now the minister has said that they will use new technology which is far from truth," he added.