The Real Cost of Power - Bank Information Center
The Real Cost of Power - Bank Information Center
The Real Cost of Power - Bank Information Center
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<strong>The</strong> fact-finding team observed that the exchange between the locally affected population and Tata-owned CGPL is<br />
hugely unequal. This is based on the above observations and collation <strong>of</strong> facts where local communities have been<br />
forced to part with a large part <strong>of</strong> their source <strong>of</strong> livelihood, or have it negatively impacted by the company's entry into<br />
the area and suffer the dangers <strong>of</strong> pollution, affecting not only their livelihood but also their health. On the other hand,<br />
having occupied these lands in an ecologically sensitive and valuable area, the company has flouted the norms and<br />
procedures that are meant to be followed in the setting up <strong>of</strong> such a plant, not taken all necessary precautions and<br />
safety measures to protect local populations and have not provided an alternate source <strong>of</strong> livelihood to those the plant<br />
has affected. <strong>The</strong> question that we ask here is on what basis can CGPL appropriate resources for itself while denying<br />
others the same?<br />
XV. Large number <strong>of</strong> polluting mega-industries in an ecologically sensitive area; no Cumulative Impact Studies done or<br />
even envisaged – It is not only the two mega/ultra coal power plants that are coming up in this fragile bio-diversity-rich<br />
coast. <strong>The</strong> map below shows the rapid rate at which mega projects are being planned here. With thousands <strong>of</strong> natural<br />
resource-dependent villagers already pushed to the brink, and the valuable ecosystem under serious attack, there is still<br />
no sign <strong>of</strong> a cumulative impact study being planned.<br />
Figure 5<br />
“We doubt their motives <strong>of</strong> developing the local community. Educated<br />
persons ratio to uneducated is 20:80. Even that 20% who are educated<br />
who were called for interviews with the Tatas and Adanis were not given<br />
employment yet. I have documents supporting the same and know these<br />
graduates who have attended the interview, whose results are withheld or<br />
joining dates are delayed purposely.”<br />
Ayub Haji, fisherman, Bhadreshwar<br />
Large number <strong>of</strong> polluting projects being built in a small, fragile ecological zone -<br />
No cumulative impact studies done