Farmers from Maavuthampathi near Madukkarai today demanded that the government must withdraw permission granted to a liquor factory operating in their area.
The farmers alleged that Imperial Spirits and Wine, a liquor company has been drawing water from the Walayar water body for the purpose of manufacturing liquor. The river being the prime source of water for irrigation for over 200 acres of land, the farmers reported that drawing gallons of water will lead to depletion of resources for agriculture and for the animals.
They stated that Imperial Spirits have laid a pipeline for a distance of about 750 meters to draw 300 cubic meter of water from the Walayar River. And the company has also acquired necessary legal permissions to draw water 3 lakh litres of water from the river, since 2013. However, the permission allows them to lay a 2.5 inch pipeline but they have laid a 8 inch pipeline, they revealed. It is improbable as to how the Panchayat has granted permission to lay pipelines through patta lands, they added.
Amman Padidurai, a nearby village has been seriously affected due to the interference of private companies in drawing water from the water source leading to scarcity of water. Hence, the wild animals have started to enter the villages in search of water, they said.
To the contrary, the liquor company however has denied the allegations and have stated that the water drawn is used for drinking purposes and for manufacturing liquor. However, denied by the villagers.
Hence, the farmers have requested the concerned officials to necessitate action and evoke the permissions granted to the liquor company for drawing water. They also jointly apprised that a series of protests would be staged, if officials fail to react.