Around 23 farmers from Pissurlem, whose fields have been contaminated due to the alleged release of chemicals by two companies functioning from the Pissurlem Industrial Estate, have demanded that they be compensated immediately.
The companies – ESTTEEM and VIC are manufacturers of chemicals, which are used for industrial purpose. Since last four years, farmers are irked over the chemical pollution from this unit.
They complain that since the last four years their agricultural fields have been totally contaminated due to release of chemicals.
They allege that chemicals, which are mixed in water, are released into their fields. When mining stopped in this area, many farmers took up farming.
Some of them even availed loans from banks to start agriculture but their hopes of reaping the benefits were dashed due the alleged release of chemicals into their fields by the companies.
Manohar Parab, a farmer, who suffered the most due to companies’ alleged release of chemicals in his field said, “Following repeated complaints about the chemical pollution by the companies’ officials, Pissurlem Panchayat, Sattari Mamlatdar and Valpoi Police failed to provide justice to us.”
“Finally, the GSPCB authorities collected water samples, and the report revealed that companies were fully responsible for the pollution and contamination of fields making the same non-agriable.”
According to Manohar Parab, almost 23 farmers have been affected due to this pollution.
Another farmer Vasudev Parab complained saying, “We have been into traditional farming for many years but were forced to stop the same due to the mining operations. When we restarted the same, the companies’ act of releasing the chemicals left our agricultural fields contaminated and hence we were forced to stop the same.”
Many farmers who suffered from pollution demanded immediate compensation from the two companies for allegedly releasing the chemical waters into their agricultural fields and for contaminating the same. Some of them informed that they had availed of loans from the banks to start agriculture but the fields were contaminated.
The further complained that the wells, which were constructed to irrigate the fields, were also polluted due to the release of chemicals.
Pissurlem sarpanch Devanand Parab said, “Some of the farmers had submitted their complaints to the panchayat regarding the pollution by two companies. We later forwarded their complaints to the magistrate in Sattari for necessary action as the panchayat cannot take any legal action against the industrial estate as per the Government policy.”
VIC manager Premanand Shet refuted farmers’ allegations as baseless regarding chemical pollution of agricultural land. “Farmers’ allegations regarding chemical pollution of agricultural land are baseless, Shet said, adding “Samples which were collected and analysed do not show any evidence that we are responsible for the pollution of agricultural land. As per our guidelines, we are not discharging water without treatment. The question of polluting farming land does not arise. Secondly, the rivulet, which is polluted, is not because of our activities, but many industrial units are responsible for the same.”
Esteem company manager Mr Nikam also expressed similar views.
