Drought, water shortage in states: RSS affiliate seeks closure of soft drink units

New Delhi: With several states grappling with drought and water shortage, an RSS affiliate has said the government should "control or close down" cola units, saying soft drink industry is "wasting" water.

It also said the government should not make a push for development at the expense of ecology, insisting that "survival is more important than so called development" and seeking "severe restrictions" on cutting trees for development projects as ecological imbalances may endanger the human race.

The Swadeshi Jagran Manch, in a resolution passed at its national council meeting, suggested several measures that include shutting down the cola units in the country, besides giving top priority to rejuvenation of water tanks and water bodies.

"Government should understand that survival is more important than the so called development," the resolution passed at its recent meeting held in Bhopal said.

"In these life threatening circumstances, Swadeshi Jagran Manch urges the government, to tackle global warming and climate change with all the seriousness it deserves. Control or even close down coca-cola, pepsi-cola and such other water wasting soft drinks industries," the Manch said.

These cola units are creating trouble for the local population as they are causing water shortage and pollution in areas around them, SJM's national co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan said, adding the organisation had earlier also opposed setting up of such units due to their negative impact on environment.

"Big corporate interests give a damn to environmental concerns. The ecological imbalances created by such industries will endanger the survival of human race," Mahajan told PTI.

In an apparent dig at government's push for higher GDP, Mahajan said, "Talking about growth does not mean anything if the very survival of human beings is in danger."

The RSS-linked outfit also sought control on cultivation of sugarcane and other water intensive crops and imposing curbs on cutting trees for developmental projects.