Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday ordered cancellation of the beer bottling factory project at Balarampur village in Dhenkanal district.
The decision was taken following a report submitted by Northern Division Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) to the Industries Department.
The RDC in his report stated, “Based on the factual report available, the allocation of bottling plant to P Bottlers Private Limited may be cancelled and alternate site may be provided. Unnecessary felling of trees may be stopped forthwith and immediate plantation should be taken up.”
On Sunday, the Chief Minister had stopped felling of trees in the area and directed the concerned RDC to investigate into the incident.
Locals including women have been opposing tooth and nail the felling of trees as part of the land acquisition by Dhenkanal district administration for the proposed beer factory.
On Saturday, while women were seen clinging to trees not allowing those to be felled, lathi-wielding police personnel scuffled with them to fell the trees. About 12 acres of the land was allotted for the brewery unit, to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 102 crore. Out of the 12 acres of land, five acres has a forest of sal trees.
However, former BJP MP Rudra NaryanPani said the Chief Minister had held the groundbreaking ceremony for the plant on November 3 through videoconferencing giving permission for cutting thousands of trees. But the Chief Minister ordered for an RDC probe for his image sake and to hoodwink people.