Mon Feb 23 19:04:11 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Congress MLA Threatens Power Cut to Tata-Airbus Helicopter Plant, Citing Farmer Grievances

The Story:

Just five days after the virtual inauguration of the Tata-Airbus helicopter assembly unit in Vemagal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on February 17, 2026, Kolar Congress MLA Kottur Manjunath has threatened to cut off the plant’s power supply. Manjunath alleges the plant is drawing electricity from the local grid, impacting farmers and residents, rather than a dedicated industrial feeder. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the perceived neglect of local representatives during the inauguration and accused companies of offering only menial jobs to locals.

Key Points:

  • The Tata Advanced Systems’ Final Assembly Line for the Airbus H125 helicopter was inaugurated on February 17, 2026, in Vemagal.
  • Kottur Manjunath, Kolar Congress MLA, threatens to cut power supply if the plant doesn’t switch to an industrial feeder line.
  • Manjunath claims the plant’s current power source is impacting farmers and local residents.
  • The MLA also voiced concerns about the neglect of local representatives during the inauguration ceremony.
  • He alleged that the company is not providing meaningful employment opportunities for local farmers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Local political opposition can create obstacles for large industrial projects, even after high-profile inaugurations.
  • Land acquisition and resource allocation (in this case, electricity) for industrial projects can create friction with local communities, especially farmers.
  • Job creation and perceived fairness in employment opportunities are crucial for gaining local support for industrial developments.
  • The incident highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement and addressing local concerns during the planning and implementation of large-scale projects.

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