Court questions government on Gujarat farmers’ green concern

GANDHINAGAR - The Gujarat High Court Wednesday questioned the state and central governments over environmental concerns raised by farmers opposed to the allotment of land to corporate giant Nirma for building a cement plant in Bhavnagar district.

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya and Justice Akil Kureshi issued notices to the union environment and forests ministry, the Gujarat government, the area collector and pollution control board following a review petition filed by farmers.

The farmers, under aegis of the Mahuva Bandhara Khetivadi Pariyavaran Samiti, have been opposing the government’s decision to allot land for the Nirma plant alleging that it was detrimental to the interests of the people of the area and would lead to destruction of a water body besides harming agriculture in the region.

The high court in its judgment had permitted the company to go ahead with the construction work subject to certain conditions.

Following the judgment, the farmers went in appeal to the Supreme Court which directed the high court to hear the review petition.

The case will come up for hearing Aug 26.