Sandesh Prabhudesai
23 July 1999
The sword of uncertainty still hangs on Coca Cola plant in Goa while
industries minister Churchill Alemao, in spite of opposition members thumping benches in
the House, appears determined to supply water to the soft drink multinational "as per
the availability".
Holding cards close to his chest, the Varca strongman (as he is widely
known here) has however come down to a compromise not to disconnect water supply to the
MNC plant. "I never disconnected it but curtailed due to non-availability of adequate
water supply", he told the House, taking a swift volte face on his earlier stand.
To justify his action, he points out at the agreement reached with the
Hindustan Coca Cola Bottling South West Pvt Ltd to supply water as per the availability
after fulfilling requirements of other units in the Verna industrial estate, provided
there is no breakdown or restriction by the PWD.
"The company had ventured to set up the plant with a clear
understanding that the Industrial Development Corporation may not be in a position to meet
their entire demand of water", Alemao told the House when opposition members
condemned the government attitude to curtail water after production has begun.
Asking why only the MNC like Coke is being hounded, former union
minister Ramakant Khalap brought to the notice of the House that the credibility of the
government and the state is at stake due to Alemao’s action.
Even state opposition leader Manohar Parrikar, whose BJP had earlier
opposed the Coke plant as it would conquer market of over 100 small bottlers, felt that no
unit should be harassed in such a manner after production begins. They have demanded
resignation of deputy speaker Alex Sequeira, who was the IDC chairman, for creating this
blunder during his tenure earlier.
Speaker chief minister Pratapsing Rane, during whose chief ministerial
tenure Coke was granted licence within a fortnight, wound up the debate by simply
instructing Alemao to release water to Coke, though Alemao declined to give any assurance
in this regard. Even chief minister Luizinho Faleiro preferred not to open his mouth.
