Coca cola's license cancelled in TN

[Technoglitch]

The Tamil Nadu government has cancelled the permission given to Coca-Cola to build a bottling and manufacturing plant in Erode district following protests by farmers, who argued the unit would deplete groundwater reserves.

The permission granted to Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd to set up the plant at Perundurai, 500 km from Chennai, and the allocation of land had been cancelled, sources in the department of industries said on Tuesday.

All political parties barring the ruling AIADMK had backed residents of Erode in their struggle against the beverage major.

Coca-Cola said in a statement that it was committed to investing in Tamil Nadu but it would not be "able to invest in SIPCOT, Pedundurai" because of "unforeseen pressures and delays". It said that it was allotted a parcel of land last year and that "the project was delayed due to unanticipated, outside pressures".

The firm claimed "some approvals were not coming through" despite repeated follow-ups and requested the state government to refund the money paid so far.

Coca-Cola plant's permit cancelled in TN after farmers protest

 

[Technoglitch]

SIPCOT allotted the land on June 21, 2013. It was further amended twice. A lease deed was executed and registered by HCCB on January 23, 2014. However, the allotment and subsequent soil testing triggered a spate of protests from residents of Perundurai and Chennimalai towns and farmers in the area, who feared groundwater depletion and discharge into the water courses.

A Trust to save the towns from the proposed plant was also formed. It became a a hotly debated political issue, including in the Assembly during the budget session in March.

Meanwhile, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd. (HCCBPL), in a statement, said the company had written to the State government that due to unforeseen pressures and delays it will not be able to invest in SIPCOT, Perundurai.

Tamil Nadu shuts the door on Coca-Cola - The Hindu

 

[NinadG]

I think same happened in MH but license was not cancelled & news reports keep appearing of protests especially in summer.

 

[Technoglitch]

it is better to closure the entire bottling plants throughout the country as we have to take care of our groundwater and environment.