Sambalpur, July 30: Regional office of the state pollution control board here found that the crop damage in the periphery of the Aditya Aluminium at Lapanga in the district was caused due to the fluoride emission from the plant.

"An inspection report regarding the findings has also been submitted to the member secretary of the board for necessary action," said regional officer H.N. Nayak. A copy of the report has also been submitted to the district collector.

The report recommends suitable compensation to the affected farmers, according to the government norms in consultation with the district administration. It has also been urged in the report to direct the industry to operate the pollution control equipment to avoid any law and order situation in future. The firm's deputy general manager, corporate affairs (external) Sivanand Mohanty said: "We have received a copy of the report. We will take step accordingly."

On July 20, people of Derba village of Ghichamura gram panchayat in Rengali block alleged that the standing paddy crop over around 400 acres of their locality had got destroyed due to poisonous emission from the plant at Lapanga.

The villagers alleged that poisonous gas was being released from a leaking pipe of the company. Moreover, they had submitted a memorandum to the district collector. Additional district magistrate Jyoti Kumar Lakra had assured them of inquiry as well.

Subsequently, officials of the board's regional office and the revenue department had visited the site on July 21 and 22.