Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Dec 19: In an incident which occurred at Uchchila near Kaup on Friday December 18, district in-charge minister, Vinay Kumar Sorake, walked out of a function in a huff, angered by the presence of officials of Udupi Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) on the dais. The incident occurred during the annual day function of Mahalaxmi High School, Uchchila, in which the minister had participated as chief guest.

When the programme was about to begin, Sorake came to know that officials of UPCL, which is currently under Adani Group, would be seated with him on the dais, and instantly turned livid. He immediately went to the dais, picked up a microphone, and lambasted UPCL management for failing to keep the promises it had made to the people.

"A number of new companies are coming up in the region. UPCL has inflicted lot of damage to the region including harming the health of people and school children. The company officials repeatedly claim to mitigate the hardships of people but the company has failed to do anything to control fly ash and hot water being discharged from the plant. Although the company had promised to provide power to the district all 24 hours of the day, it has not kept this promise. The company, after assuring to provide employment to displaced locals, has failed to meet this assurance," he said, listing out his grievances. After that, he went away from the venue.

Speaking to media persons, Sorake accused the company of failing to meet its promise of providing uninterrupted power supply to Kaup constituency, and faltering in meeting the promise to pay Rs 3.2 lac as compensation to country boat fishermen,although this promise was made in the presence of the chief minister. He accused the company of not paying tax to the gram panchayat. "The company is seeking land for setting up its third unit. But we will not allow its expansion plan till it meets all earlier promises," he asserted.

Gangadhar Karkera, president of Mogaveera Mahajana Sangha, school convener, Sharat Guddekopla, head teacher, Shanta Shettigar, official of the company, Kishore Alva, and others were mute spectators to the angry diatribe of the minister. The annual day function was held after the minister left.

Kishore Alva, clarifying the position, said that Lanco group, which owned UPCL, had become bankrupt. UPCL plant was sold by it to Adani group, and the Adani group has drafted elaborate plan to address all the problems, mention of which was made by the minister. Although the company is prepared to remit five year dues of tax to the gram panchayat, it is not accepting the payment, he stated.