Karur farmers oppose setting up of CETPs, threaten to move out

Karur (TN), Aug 27 (PTI) Farmers here have threatenedto give up their occupation and leave the district if thedistrict administration allowed dyeing units to set up commoneffluent treatment plants (CETP) in and around Karur, whichhad an adverse impact on the environment. "We have no other option but to move out of thedistrict if the administration does not accept out demands,"Karur District Farmers’ Association President, M Ramalingamhad mentioned in the memorandum submitted to the KarurDistrict Collector yesterday. He further said the association had been fighting forthe strict implementation of zero-effluent discharge system bythe dyeing units, since 2003. But, it had not been adhered to by the dyeing units,he added. Even those which claim zero-effluent discharge seemedto be discharging effluents, the farmers alleged. Three months back in Karuppampalayam area, governmentauthorities tested the well water and found that it contained8000 units of total dissolved salts (TDS), which affected thesoil and ground water, they said. "If this continues our livelihood will be paralysed,"they rued. PTI COR SSNROHROH