UPCL fly ash row: Protesters clash with Pejavar seer

Udupi, March 5: Pejawar Mutt pontiff Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji will no more be in the fight against coal based power project promoted by Udupi Power Corporation Ltd (earstwhile Nagarjuna). A development to this effect was evident at the meeting of the representatives of the UPCL and the Raitha Sangha organizing protests against Nagarjuna, convened by the Swamiji.

As soon as the meeting began Vijay Kumar Hegde and other activists of the Raitha Sangha questioned Swamiji for convening a meeting to discuss ill effects of the power project on the environment. Hegde said, “Swamiji you had personally visited the project site last week and were convinced by the ill effects of bottom ash being dumped in the ash pond and also of the fly ash. On that day you had also given a deadline of March 3 to stop producing power and come for the dialogue. Now without consulting the activists how can you call for a meeting without the company stop its production. You are already convinced of the ill effects during your visit to the site. Now what is there to discuss. You cannot keep changing your stand''.

Hegde also took Swamiji to task for sharing the dais with the representatives of the company making the Raitha Sangha activists, the mere audience.

Some of the activists also shouted slogans against Swamiji and called him the Nagarjuna Agent.

Replying to media persons Swamiji said that though he had visited the site, he was not convinced by the ill effects on the environment. During the question and answer session with the company representatives he wanted to get convinced of the situation. “If the Raitha Sangha or the people does not want me in their agitation against Nagarjuna I will not be there”, Swamiji said.

He said that Raitha Sangha did not have concern for people, they just wanted to organize a protest. Vijay Kumar Hegde spoiled the very purpose of the meeting by bringing hundreds of activists in to the meeting hall.

Hegde told press persons that henceforth Pejawar Swamiji would not be in their protest against Nagarjuna.

Vice President of UPCL Kishore Alva, Chief Operating Manager Raveendra, Site manager Sudarshan Inna, PRO Rajendra Navada, DGM (Environment, Health and Safety) Srinivas Reddy represented UPCL.