Villagers in Mehdiganj, 20 km from Varanasi are sitting on an indefinite dharna outside and Coca Cola bottling plant since March 23^rd, 2006 demanding the closure of the plant. Bollywood director, Mahesh Bhatt, presents support to the dharna.

The plant, in operation since 1999, has caused a fall in water table to the extent of 50 feet forcing farmers to deepen their tubewells. The farmers fear that if the plant continues to function it’ll soon create a situation where there may not be any water left. In addition the quality of water has also deteriorated.

On 19th August, 2005 the Kerala Pollution Control Board had ordered the Coca Cola bottling plant in Plachimada, Dist. Palakkad to close down because Cadmium was found in the sludge generated by this plant which posed a serious threat of contamination to the ground water. Coca Cola, even though it was asked, failed to justify the presence of Cadmium in its sludge.

Now, Central Pollution Control Board (see Frontline, May 20, 2006 issue) has revealed that the sludge generated by Mehdiganj, Varanasi plant also contains dangerous levels of Cadmium, Chromium and Lead. Cadmium and Chromium are known carcinogens and Lead retards the mental growth of children. With this information now made public the CPCB must take an immediate decision to close down the Mehdiganj and other such plants of Coca Cola and Pepsico where sludge has been found to contain dangerous toxins.

In a recent study (yet unpublished) conducted by scientist V.T. Padmanabhan it has been found that the median birth weight of children born in Plachimada after the Coca Cola plant came into existence has dropped by 200 grams. Before the plant was set up there used to be 15% children born underweight (less than 2500 grams). Now the number of these children has increased to 31%.

The issue of Coca Cola plants dehydrating local communities in India and plotting with paramilitary to kill 9 workers in a plant in Colombia has dominated the proceedings in the Shareholders’ meeting of Coca Cola company for two consecutive years in the US. Several university campuses across North America have banned the sale of Coca Cola after student agitation highlighting the issues in India and Colombia.

The Coca Cola plant in Mehdiganj, Varanasi has encroached upon Gram Sabha land, has cheated on revenue and destroyed the fields and crops of farmers. We appeal to all – consumers, citizens of this country, film and sports personalities who advertise for Coke and Pepsi – to help the villagers of Varanasi in closing down this plant.
 

Sandeep Pandey                                   Mahesh Bhatt            Anand Patwardhan