Title: Need to check pollution caused by sponge iron plant set up at Ramachandrapur near Keonjhargarh, Orissa.
SHRI ANANTA NAYAK (KEONJHAR): Sir, the Sponge Iron Plant set up Ramachandrapur near Keonjhargarh Orissa is causing air pollution of a serious nature. The Sponge Iron Plant has not taken adequate anti-air pollution measures while it was set up. The polluted air discharged by that plant has imbalanced the ecology of the villages which are considered as green belt since time immemorial. Majority of the population in the area is tribal and the plant has been set up on the tribal land that was illegally transferred to the owner of the plant. Besides, several acres of Government land have also been encroached by the plant authority. The unchecked discharge of polluted air has made the atmosphere poisonous. The people of more than 50 villages are suffering from TB and several other ailments. The polluted air has also caused serious damage to the forest and paddy crops.
I request the Government that the Sponge Iron Plant at Ramachandrapur near Keonjhargarh Orissa should be asked to stop its operation till a permanent anti-pollution measure is adopted by the plant authority. The plant authority should also provide adequate health care facilities for the affected people.