Nalco effluents damage paddy crop in Odisha villages

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Banarpal (Angul), July 26:

Farmers of Kulad panchayat in Odisha’s Angul district have demanded compensation from the Nalco authorities for damage of nearly 40 acres of paddy crop due to effluents discharged from the smelter unit of the plant.

Alleging that the effluents containing toxic chemical components  discharged from plant since last week have severely damaged the paddy crops in Budimala and Chingiribahal villages, the aggrieved farmers have urged  the plant authorities to provide immediate compensation failing which they would take up the matter with the district collector.

Regional Officer of Odisha State Pollution Control Board  BB Dash has confirmed that the plant authorities have released toxic effluents.

Meanwhile, senior Nalco officials have visited the affected villages.