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Nirma Ltd, facing opposition from local farmers for its upcoming cement plant in Mahuva taluka of Bhanvanagar, has proposed before the Gujarat high court that it was ready to release 46 hectares of land to reach an amicable solution to the ongoing conflict.
The proposal was made by the lawyers of the Nirma Ltd before a division bench headed by Chief Justice S J Mukhopadhaya on Wednesday.
However, the lawyers representing the farmers opposing the Nirma cement plant, near the west weir at Samadhiala in Mahuva, have sought time from the court to respond to the company's proposal till March 6, when the next hearing has been scheduled.
The proposal was made by the company after Justice Mukhopadhaya pointed out from a government report recommending that the cement plant can be set up on 168 hectares land and 100 hectares can be taken back by the state government for the purpose of developing the catchment area for reservoir.
Nirma was given 268 hectares land for setting up of the cement plant besides more than 3,000 hectares for mining lease in the surrounding area across the coastline in Bhavnagar district. From its 268-hectares plot, the company has already surrendered 54 hectares land to the government.
The company's counsel Dushyant Dave had offered to surrender other 46 hectares land, if the issue can be laid at rest.
The farmers have come together and filed a petition under the name of Shree Mahuva Bandhara Khetiwadi Pariyavaran Ran Bachav Samitee opposing Nirma Ltd's cement and have contended that out of the 268 hectares land alloted to the company, 222 hectares was part of a water-body.
The farmers, led by BJP MLA from Mahuva Kanu Kalsariya, have further contended that the cement plant would destroy their agriculture, animal husbandry, besides causing irreparable damage to the environment.
The Gujarat high court had last month ordered a stay on all construction activities at the Nirma Ltd's upcoming cement plant in Mahuva taluka of Bhavnagar district while hearing petition by farmers opposing it.