India: News

NewReports: Varanasi Member Of Parliament- criticizes activists for their role in the region

(1) Pioneer- Varanasi edition, 30th June '06

Three rainwater harvesting projects dedicated

Hindustan Coca-Cola on Wednesday set another milestone in the field of water conservation and sustainability by dedicating three rain water harvesting projects in Mahendiganj areas to the community.The local Member of Parliament Dr. Rajesh Kumar Mishra dedicated these projects to the community set up at Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Kallipur village.Through these projects, the Hindustan Coca-Cola has created fresh annual groundwater recharge potential of over 3.75 million liters at the current average rainfall of Varanasi. The project was implemented under the guidance of State Ground Water Department. Out of these three projects, two are roof top rainwater harvesting projects. The first roof top project covers an area of 400 sq meters and is connected to a well and the second an area of 1240 sq meters having an annual recharge potential of over 1.05 million liters of water.

Besides, the company under look the task of desilting the big pond at Krishi Vigyan Kendra and repairing the bank. The pond will recharge over 2.3 million of water annually. Speaking on the occasion, Dr, Mishra criticized the Magsasay Award winner Sandeep Pandey for frequently organizing dharna at Mahendiganj bottling plant. The congress member of parliament said that the dharna was not a solution of any problem and asked Sandeep Pandey to inform the people that what he had done for the poor and their welfare. Praising the Coca-Cola for its sincere efforts in water harvesting area, he said, “we are all consumers of water and therefore we should take collectively responsibility to ensure that water resources are conserved and protected for the future generation.

Earlier in his welcome address, Sharat Kumar of Company said’ “it has been our constant endeavor to work with the communities where ever we operate. We share water resources with the local community; therefore we pro-actively work in the area of water conservation and ensuring water sustainability. We are going to start the work of rainwater harvesting projects Krishi Bhawan, Lahartara, Primary School building of Bhikharipur and Mirzamurad Police station.

Together, these projects will create annual ground water recharge potential of over 2.1 million liters”. According to him, the company is also in the process of finalizing a long term community development plan which is aimed at benefiting thousands of families of this area.

Rajesh Sinha of the company said that in addition to the roof –top rainwater harvesting projects, the company is considering the option of rejuvenating and recharging community ponds. The World Environment Foundation recently conferred “Special commendation of Golden Peacock Award for Environment Management - 2006” to Mahendiganj Bottling Operation,” he informed

(2) Danik Jagran                Varanasi Editition (largest Hindi Daily)
Rain harvesting water project begins

Hindustan Coca-Cola has launched three projects on rain water harvesting. These three projects were dedicated to the committes by Mr. Rajesh Mishra the Honorable member of the parliment . Mr. Mishra praised the company for this effort. He said that all of us in different works of life must work for preservation and cleaniness water, so that our future is secure.

Mr. Rajesh Mishra, Member of Parliament (who was the Chief Guest at the function), the report says, “The agitation against Coca-Cola is an act of theatrics and the people behind it are anti-social. Coca-Cola is working to conserve and recharge water and therefore any agitation against the company is meaningless”.

Sharat Kumar from Hindustan Coca-Cola saaid that with the launch of this project there would be a lot of development activity in the region abd farmers would get benefit. He mentitioned that every year Hindustan Coca-Cola does rain water harvesting of 3.75 million litres. He further added that we are an environment friendly company. He also said that more projects will be taken for rechanging this year. For all the steps taken for environment the Mehendiganj plant has been awarded Golden Peacock Award.  

(3) Swatantra Bharat - June 30th 2006- Varanasi(Bureau)

Cola-Cola undertakes three rainwater harvesting projects( A forceful reply to the critics)

Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Member Parliament dedicates it to the farmers

Hindustan Coca-Cola started three rainwater harvesting projects for the benefit of the community by collecting rainwater and purifying it. All the three projects were dedicated to the farmers by Dr. Rajesh Mishra, local member parliament.

Coca-Cola plant Mehandiganj will recharge about 3.75 million liters water every year in Varanasi alone thorough Krishi Vigyan Kendra of village Kallipur. State Ground water Ministry has given full support to these projects. Replying to criticism that Coca-Cola Company was contaminating ground water in a big way, The Coca-Cola Company had done an excellent work for the benefit of the community. The work of Coca-Cola Company officials and employees particularly that of manager HR Sharat Kumar was commendable. Out of the three projects, two projects are roof-top water harvesting projects of which one is spread over 400 sq meters and is connected to a well. Approximately 4 Lakh liters water can be collected during rainy season by this project alone. A second rain water harvesting project covers an area of 1240 sq meter and this project can collect rain water upto 1.05 million liters. The Coca-Cola Company has developed a big tank into a water bank at Krishi Vigyan Kendra. In this bank water purifying plant has been installed. 2.3 million liters water can be purified out of this tank water.

Welcoming the people Hindustan Coca-Cola Manager Sharat Kumar told that this project has been developed by Coca-Cola Company exclusively. And this is one of the series of effort made by The Coca-Cola Company for the benefit of community and environment. On this occasion Dr. Rakesh Mishra told that everybody is a consumer of water and therefore it is the responsibility of all of us that we exhibit a sense of responsibility towards water. On this occasion company’s Ratnesh Sinha told that they were looking for canal water for purifying the same.

(4) United Bharat- 30th June ‘06

Dedication of rain water harvesting project by a Member of Parliament (Coca-Cola’s emphasis on roof top rain water harvesting projects)

Varanasi

Hindustan Coca-Cola Company started three rain water harvesting projects for collecting and purifying water.. The local Member of Parliament Dr. Rajesh Mishra dedicated the three projects to the people at the Krishi vigayn Kendra of Kallipur in Mahendiganj. The Member of Parliament said that all of us were consuming water and therefore it is everybody’s responsibility to purify and make the water safe for future. These efforts are necessary to purify the water. He said that it was a difficult situation that we were not thinking of water to purify the rain water which goes under ground and is wasted away. He commended the efforts made by Coca-Cola Company in this regard.

Criticizing the sit-in strike (Dharna) against The Coca-Cola Company. He said that it was unjustified to oppose a company like Coca-Cola which was live to the development. On this occasion Ramesh Sinha said that they would recharge the tank water actively for starting the roof top rainwater harvesting project. Sharat Kumar of Hindustan Coca-Cola Company proposed a vote of thanks.

 

About Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola Company has always placed high value on good citizenship. At the heart of business is a mission statement called the Coca-Cola Promise. It says, quite simply, that” The Coca-Cola Company exists to benefit and refresh everyone who is touched by our business". This basic proposition means – that the company’s business should refresh the markets, protect, preserve and enhance the environment and strengthen the community. Coca-Cola India provides extensive support for community programs across the country, with a focus on education, health and water conservation.

For further information on company's Indian operations and its products, please visit www.Coca-Colaindia.com.