The Madhya Pradesh government has canceled the lease of the Coca-Cola plant in Hoshangabad district. About six years ago, 110 acres of land was allotted for setting up a plant worth Rs 750 crore in Mohsa village of Hoshangabad. Now the Industrial Development Corporation of Madhya Pradesh Government (MPIDC) has decided to cancel the lease. After the cancellation of the lease, the company has also surrendered the land last week.
What is the reason: Sanjay Kumar Shukla, principal secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, said, “The company did not fulfill the lease norms. The work was to start within five years from the allotment of the land in 2016, but the company did not do anything, so we have canceled it.
Farmers’ troubles increased: This decision has upset the farmers of the area. Actually, farmers have planted mango and orange trees in 128 acres of land. The farming community expected that Coca-Cola would buy the fruit after setting up the plant. Now after the cancellation of the lease, this dream has remained unfulfilled.
What farmers have to say: Local farmer Sushil Gaur said, “In 2019, the horticulture department officials asked us to plant mango and orange trees for the food and beverage plant of Coca-Cola. We were also provided with plants of Parrot Pari breed at subsidized rates. This year when the trees started bearing fruit, the proposal to plant the plant was canceled. Now what will we do with the produce? In the local market, there is no demand for this variety of mango.
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Declaration of protest: The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) has decided to hold a protest in support of the farmers. BKS District President Shiv Mohan Singh said, “This is a setback for the farmers who were dreaming of a better life because of the plant. The state government had shown the company the dream of earning lakhs of rupees to the farmers by selling mangoes. We are against the decision. Will protest. The state government should take some serious steps to help the farmers.”
What officials say: District horticulture officer Rita Uike said, “We promoted mango planting for an upcoming Coca-Cola project but we didn’t know that the plant would not be set up. We are definitely not going to get any other food and beverages that exist in other parts of the state. Will help the farmers by tying up with the beverage company.”
At the same time, Shraddha Bose, media in-charge of Coca-Cola Beverages Plant, refused to give the reason for not setting up the plant, but confirmed the surrender of the land by the company.
photo credit – coca cola website