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Drought: Sainath blames it on 20 years of 'mindless' water exploitation

Drought Sainath on Pepsico Puthussery plant

The drought this year is the result of 20 years of mindless water exploitation, author-journalist P Sainath has said. 


 

Speaking to Asianet News, Sainath also predicted that Kerala is going to face serious problems in future due to rising temperature. “I think, the state is going to face serious problems in the plantations and elsewhere with temperature (rise) and climate change,” he said. 


 

Referring to the decision of Puthussery Panchayat in Palakkad to issue stop memo to the Pepsico plant there considering the acute water shortage in the locality. The panchayat decided to issue the memo after the Asianet News reported that the soft water manufacturing unit was drawing six lakh litres of ground water every day.  
 

The state is going to face serious problems in the plantations and elsewhere with temperature (rise) and climate change: P Sainath

 

 

Sainath, the author of the book Everybody Loves a Good Drought, was, however, skeptical that Puthussery panchayat’s action against the plant. 
 “Pepsico is not bothered about your Panchayat. They have got much higher connections with Mantris and Ministers and MLAs and MPs. They are getting public water free virtually...five paise or 15 paise or whatever and selling it to you Rs.15 or 20 per bottle.” 

 

Even as the state continues to reel under unprecedented summer, official data shows that ground water level in the state dipped over three metres, when compared to last season. Palakkad, Wayanad and Kasargod were the worst affected. 



 

 


 

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