<p>KPCL MD S M Jaamdar said on Thursday that even though the land allotted to construct the plant in Yeramaras belonged to Karnataka Industrial Development Board (KIADB), they would still be providing jobs to one member per family to about 250 families. “The land was not purchased for our needs, but by the KIADB for setting up an industrial park in 1980.<br /> <br />They had acquired 3,600 acres and have now given us 865 acres. Not only will we be providing jobs to one member each of the 250 families who have given up their land, but we will also be employing 2000 people for direct employment and 3000 people for ancillaries.”<br />He dismissed claims of fly ash from the chimneys polluting the environment and also causing silicosis, a form of lung disease, saying that independent authorities had submitted a report stating that there was no proof of increase in the levels of silicosis. Saying that they were ready to discuss and negotiate, Jaamdar said that there was no point in calling a bundh.<br /><br />Protests galore<br /><br />Protests have marked the announcement and the foundation laying of the project. Different parties have gathered under the umbrella organisation Raichur Hitarakshana Samithi to protest the project. <br /><br />Some of the protesters want the project to move out of Raichur entirely, while another section wants the power plant in Raichur, but in another place called Chandrabanda. <br />Residents are wary of increase in the amount of fly ash area, with two power plants starting in addition to the eight unit of Raichur Thermal Power Station, scheduled to be operational from November this year. <br /><br />A meeting will be held on Saturday to decide the future course of action. A public hearing has also been called on June 19.<br /></p>
<p>KPCL MD S M Jaamdar said on Thursday that even though the land allotted to construct the plant in Yeramaras belonged to Karnataka Industrial Development Board (KIADB), they would still be providing jobs to one member per family to about 250 families. “The land was not purchased for our needs, but by the KIADB for setting up an industrial park in 1980.<br /> <br />They had acquired 3,600 acres and have now given us 865 acres. Not only will we be providing jobs to one member each of the 250 families who have given up their land, but we will also be employing 2000 people for direct employment and 3000 people for ancillaries.”<br />He dismissed claims of fly ash from the chimneys polluting the environment and also causing silicosis, a form of lung disease, saying that independent authorities had submitted a report stating that there was no proof of increase in the levels of silicosis. Saying that they were ready to discuss and negotiate, Jaamdar said that there was no point in calling a bundh.<br /><br />Protests galore<br /><br />Protests have marked the announcement and the foundation laying of the project. Different parties have gathered under the umbrella organisation Raichur Hitarakshana Samithi to protest the project. <br /><br />Some of the protesters want the project to move out of Raichur entirely, while another section wants the power plant in Raichur, but in another place called Chandrabanda. <br />Residents are wary of increase in the amount of fly ash area, with two power plants starting in addition to the eight unit of Raichur Thermal Power Station, scheduled to be operational from November this year. <br /><br />A meeting will be held on Saturday to decide the future course of action. A public hearing has also been called on June 19.<br /></p>