BRS, Congress lock horns over ethanol factory in Velgatoor

Warangal: The foundation stone laid by welfare minister Koppula Eshwar for establishment of a ₹100 crore ethanol factory over 110 acres of land on outskirts of Stambampalli village in Velgatoor mandal had become a bone of contention between the ruling party and opposition Congress.

The minister maintains that the factory will provide employment opportunities to people of Dharmapuri constituency. Congress party MLC T. Jeevan Reddy alleges BRS government is playing with lives of people. The ethanol factory will cause health complications among people of surrounding areas, as it would pollute air, water and soil in the region.

Eshwar maintains that such an attitude of Jeevan Reddy will mean loss of opportunities for people of Dharmapuri. “Does any government take up a project without putting in place safety measures beforehand, keeping in view interests of people of that region,” the minister asked.

He maintained that instead of lauding the state government, Congress party leaders are provoking people only to gain political mileage.

Incidentally, for past three days, people of villages surrounding the ethanol factory site have been staging dharnas and organising road blockades opposing the government’s move.

BRS party Pashagami village president Gopathi Naresh has resigned from the ruling party opposing the factory. Villagers even tried to demolish the flag post of BRS party in the village.

Police personnel, who have been deployed in the area, intervened and prevented them from doing so.