Lanjigarh Villagers vehemently oppose outside NGO Activists

Special Reporter: Kailash Tudu
Email: ktudu1@gmail.com

Local people of Lanjigarh, including Kondh tribal community strongly resisted the attempts by some of the outside NGO activists to create disturbances in the Public Hearing meeting organized by Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) regarding Environmental Clearance to Vedanta Aluminium Limited for its expansion. “We know what is good for us and what is bad. We know what benefit we will get if Vedanta expands. The outsiders should not interfere in our matter,” said Raghu Majhi of Belamba village, where the Public Hearing took place on April 25, 2009.

The villagers opposed some of the outside NGO workers, when they tried to present their view on the subject and raise slogan against the Company. As per the notice issues by the OSPCB only persons who are affected or involved in the expansion project were supposed to attend the public hearing and put forth their view. However, some of the NGO from Bhawanipatna, Bhubaneswar, New Delhi and European Countries were also present in the program and tried to interrupt the proceedings. “What is the stake of these white foreigners in the project,” asked the tribal community members. It seems that these International NGO activists are working against Vedanta with their vested interests. According to the villagers, these NGOs and foreigners have never done anything for the development of this tribal dominated area. They were seen nowhere in the site but flock at Lanjigarh, when such public meetings happens.

In the meeting though the local villagers and to be affected persons raised issues regarding dust pollution, supported the Expansion Plan by Vedanta Aluminium. They also came forward to donate their land for the expansion of the Alumina Refinery and in return avail the rehabilitation and resettlement benefits. A group of people from local villages also submitted a memorandum to the government representatives to give their land for the expansion project.

Vedanta Aluminium has applied for Environmental Clearance for its proposed expansion of its Alumina Refinery’s capacity from 1 MTPA to 6 MTPA. As per the instruction by the Ministry of Environment and Forest the OSPCB conducted the Public Hearing. The meeting was presided by Mr. Chudamani Seth, ADM, Kalahandi and facilitated by Er. PC Rout of OPSCB. Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Chief Operating Officer of Vedanta Aluminium Limited presented a brief note on the proposed expansion project. Several community leaders from the locality presented their views on subject.

Vedanta Aluminium is already having an Alumina Refinery of 1 MTPA capacity with a Captive power plant at Lanjigarh.