Meta
Strips helps community
Sandesh Prabhudesai
2 April 2003
Meta Strips, the copper processing plant that was caught
up into a statewide controversy on pollution issue four years
ago, is now running smoothly with a unique concept of harvesting
rainwater.
"With two tanks constructed to harvest eight crore litres
of rain water in the factory premises at Sancoale, we have
reduced water intake from the state authorities by 50 per
cent", states Dwarka Rao, the Public Relations Officer.
While the company was certified as ISO 9001, he says it is
now in a process of being certified as ISO 14001. "Those
who were earlier alleging that our existence would be polluting
have now realised that our industry is not polluting or hazardous
but and an eco-friendly industry", states Rao proudly.
Among the 500 employees at the industry, he claims, 67 per
cent are Goans. "Our welfare activities are highly attributed
to the workforce. Free food and Transportation is being provided
to the entire work force while at work. The best Safety precautions
are also adhered while the employees are at work", he
adds.
After incurring huge amount of loss initially due to closure
of the plant because of the agitation, the industry appears
to have concentrated fully on production, exporting its product
even to the UK, the USA, far eastern countries, Europe, Middle
East Countries and African Countries, states Rao.
According to him, the Meta Strips has also taken up community
development programmes in the surrounding villages by providing
ambulance for the pulse polio programmes as well as supplying
computer and sponsoring the annual function of Our Lady of
Succour Parish in Nagoa. The computer package is designed
to maintain the records of the Church.
Developmental programmes for the surrounding villages are
also being worked out while offering industry services to
Cortalim MLA Mathany Saldhana, states Rao. Saldhana was in
the forefront of the anti-Meta Strips agitation.
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