Coca-Cola Could Pay for ‘Socio-Economic Damage’

A state government panel in India has asked Coca-Cola to pay Rs216.26 crore ($47m) for “socio-economic damage” caused by one of its bottlers.

The panel found that the Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages plant at Plachimada in the state of Kerala has “exploited” the ground water and affected farming and the environment.

Opened in 2000 and closed five years later, the plant discharged a sludge that contained toxic chemicals such as cadmium and lead, the panel said.

The 14-member panel has also asked the state government to establish a tribunal, which would fight the legal battle for local people as they might not be able to take it up individually.