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Clampdown on Coke

The Kerala government has forbidden Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited (HCBPL) to use groundwater at its Plachimada plant in Palakkad district till June 15. According to chief minister A K Antony, drought in the district has necessitated the ban. On December 16, 2003, the Kerala High Court had ordered HCBPL to close down its borewells at the plant (see: 'Big boost', Down To Earth, January 15, 2004). The Perumatty panchayat had earlier decided not to renew the company's licence, contending that misuse of groundwater by the latter was leading to its depletion and contamination in the region.