<div><span style="line-height: 1.4;">The Tamil Nadu government has cancelled allotment of land for a Coca-Cola plant amid strong opposition from people and political parties against the company's project.</span></div><div><div> </div><div>State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited (SIPCOT) said it sent a notice to the company for non-compliance of terms and conditions for commencing the project in Erode district.</div><div> </div><div>"The government has cancelled the allotment of 71.34 acres of land to Coca-Cola. Non-compliance of terms and conditions by the company has been cited as the reason for cancellation of land allotment in the order," a government official said.</div><div> </div><div>On the reason given by the company for not starting production, the official said, "They say that they had not done feasibility study before and now they claim that the project is not feasible."</div><div> </div><div>Coca-Cola said it had already written to the state government that "due to unforeseen pressures and delays, it will not be able to invest in SIPCOT in Perundurai."</div><div> </div><div>However, Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd said it was committed to invest in Tamil Nadu.</div><div> </div><div>Activists said the state promised Coca-Cola four million litres of water per day in an area that lacks drinking water.</div><div> </div><div>"Our area is dry, with heavy scarcity in drinking water and water for irrigation. We held protests against this plant because of this scarcity and because of pollution. This is a huge victory for the peoples' movement," a member of Perundurai's Anti-Coca Cola Movement told a news channel.</div><div> </div><div>The June 21, 2013 land allotment order had earmarked 71.34 acres in SIPCOT's premises in Perundurai in Erode district, about 400 km from Chennai.</div><div> </div><div>Asked what were the terms and conditions the company had not complied with, the SIPCOT official said, "They are supposed to commence construction (for the plant) within six months from the date of allotment. However, they did not do so."</div><div> </div><div>"For starting commercial production they have time till three years, that is not an issue," he added.</div><div> </div><div>Locals had feared the plant would cause rapid groundwater depletion and pollution of the River Bhavani.</div><div> </div><div>Environment NGOs and traders in the Perundurai and Chennaimalai regions of Erode were also opposed to the project.</div><div> </div><div>CPI(M) State Secretary G. Ramakrishnan demanded that the state withdraw its approval for the factory.</div><div> </div><div>Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president E.V.K.S. Elangovan said local people and farmers would be adversely affected by the project.</div><div> </div><div>Coca-Cola had, however, in the wake of protests, said it would not use groundwater and not let waste water come out of the plant premises.</div><div> </div><div>The Tamil Nadu assembly was informed this month that no environmental clearance had been accorded for the proposed project and that only land had been given for it.</div><div> </div><div>"Despite best efforts to address concerns, we could not commence construction and the project cannot be executed. We have requested the state government to refund the entire money paid so far," Coca-Cola said.</div></div>
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