KOHAT: Thousands of residents of some six villages in close proximity to a cement plant have protested against the pollution being created by the factory for the last more than a decade, and demanded installation of filtration plant as soon as possible.

The demand was made at a jirga here on Monday. The participants said that the factory was emitting dust and CO2 due to use of coal and crushing of lime stone, causing chest and throat diseases among the people, especially the children.

The jirga participants pointed out that there used to be 75 per cent local employees and remaining the outsiders under an agreement but after sale of the factory to private owners there were hardly five per cent local labourers working on contract basis as others had been expelled.

They said that the company paid a worker Rs12,000 for 14 hours labour thus violating the policy of the provincial government in that regard. They pointed out that the labour court and the Peshawar High Court had given a decision, ordering for re-employment of the expelled workers, but the plant’s administration got the order stayed from the Supreme Court in 2016. They appealed to the apex court to conclude the case at the earliest.

An official of the cement plant, when contacted, told Dawn that the management was trying to solve the problems of the area people.

He said that the plant was changing the old filtration technology with new one with the Chinese help as coal and dust were causing air pollution. He said that a Chinese firm expected to visit the plant soon for a survey.

The cement plant gave a grant of Rs40 million recently to the Sarhad Rural Development Programme for forming committees at village level to carry out development according to the needs of the locals. The company has also launched healthcare and poor friendly programmes in rural areas and giving annual cash and medical help to the people, officials said.

CHILDREN PARK: The chairman standing committee on information MPA Ziaullah Bangash claims to have sanctioned Rs100 million for beautification of the Tanda Dam resort.

During a visit to the area, he directed the officials concerned to start work on the construction of link and widening of main roads. He also ordered construction of a children park and hotels in the dam resort.

The lawmaker said hundreds of people thronged the place every day but there was scarcity of excursion places for families and children.

VEHICLES’ AUCTION: The district administration has asked the departments to auction hundreds of rusting vehicles, and prayer leaders to remove standing water at the ablution places as a precaution against dengue.

The directives were issued by the deputy commissioner while chairing a meeting on Monday.

He also urged the Auqaf department to create awareness among people about dengue in Friday sermons. He requested the principals of schools and colleges to create awareness about dengue in assemblies.

Similarly, he asked the medical superintendents to devise a mechanism for proper disposal of hospital waste. He directed the tehsil municipal administration to provide a vehicle to the Water Supply and Sanitation Company to carry out fumigation in six urban union councils of the city.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2018