Citing ecological concerns and the "bitter" experiences cement plants have brought to Sirmour, ruling Congress today opposed BJP's demand of more such units there, even as the latter pressed for it for creating jobs.
BJP member Rajiv Bindal, through a Private Members' Bill, sought more such plants in the district for generating job opportunities, but the Congress stood against it, saying this will lead to ecological damage, pollution and health hazards.
Confronting scenes prevailed as BJP members from Sirmour Baldev Tomar and Suresh Kashyap backed the resolution whereas Congress members Jagjivan Pal, I D Lakhanpal, Sohan Lal and Bambbar Thakur opposed it.
The cement industry in the state has damaged the environment, created traffic and health hazards and caused huge damage to roads making vehicular traffic perilous, especially in Bilaspur district, they claimed.
They said that after bitter experience of three existing cements in the district, these should be discouraged in other parts of the state.
Bindal, however, alleged the Congress members were speaking on different issues while his concern was only about employment opportunities in Sirmaur.
He wanted to know as to whether the Congress government would take a policy decision on not having any more cement plants in the state or closing the existing units.
In its reply, the government said cement is required in the country and the plants can always be asked to environment safeguards.
