SAMBALPUR: The Regional Officer of Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), Anupam Behera, has indicted aluminium major Hindalco for emission of fluoride from its Smelter Plant at Hirakud which resulted in crop damage in the villages of Nua Jamda, Dengimocha and Mohammadpur located in the vicinity of the plant.Behera, in his report to the District Collector, stated that analysis of the forage samples collected on July 25 from the agricultural fields of the affected villages reveals that there was an impact of hydrogen fluoride gas. Terming the fluoride concentration on the forage as high compared to the standard prescribed by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Behera stated that sudden exposure to high concentration of the Hydrogen Fluoride might have resulted in leaves turning yellow and injury to the forage. The drizzle has further aggravated the situation and led to chlorosis and necrosis. Earlier, Behera accompanied by Deputy Director of Agriculture Ashok Mohanty besides revenue officials and representatives of farmers’ bodies visited the affected villages to assess the crop loss. However, a joint report on the extent of damage and loss will be submitted shortly. This is for the third time that such damage has taken place with similar reports being received in 2003 and 2008. On both the occasions, Hindalco admitted to its fault and had paid compensation to the affected farmers. It is believed that once the joint report is submitted, loss assessment will be made and the company would be asked to compensate the affected farmers.
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