Tree Cutting for Beer Factory stopped; RDC Probe Ordered

ONI Bureau: Even as Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has ordered immediate halt to tree cutting for the proposed Beer Factory in Balarampur in Dhenkanal district and asked the RDC to probe the matter, the crisis if far from over. Congress Party has slammed the government on this issue and warned of massive agitation.

Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra while welcoming the decision to stop cutting trees, said that no probe is required when it was crystal clear that trees were felled and protesters were arrested. Visuals are available. It’s time for immediate action, he said. He also took a dig at CM, saying Naveen reversed his own decision under pressure. He also drew attention to the fact trees cannot be cut for factories without Centre’s permission.

BJP leader Pradip Purohit too questioned the decision of RDC probe saying it does not make sense as trees are already felled and cases were registered against protesting women. He also asked whether the Ministers and Bureaucrats did it by keeping the CM in dark.

The incident put the Government on a back foot as people cutting across ideologies and party affiliation slammed it. Activists took strong exception to it and accused the government of being anti-poor, pro-industry and against the environment.

Also Read: Villagers scuffle with Cops over cutting of Trees for Beer Factory in Dhenkanal