Locals support Bhakta’s package for Vedanta

The Pioneer, Oct 29, 2009

Bikash Khemka | Bhawanipatna

As the debate over the Vedanta Alumina Limited (VAL) is hotting up in Kalahandi district, the locals are now questioning political leaders about their pre-electoral commitment.

On October 15, Bhakta Das had proposed a package containing 35 points for mining at Niyamgiri hill. If VAL did not consider the package it should go for other alternatives at Sirjimali and Somamali for mining bauxite, he had said in the meeting.

On Tuesday, the second round of debate concluded at Town Hall taking the public opinion into account. However, Bhakta did not clarify his political stand at the meeting. But he was successful in clarifying to the people regarding the proposed package in his one hour speech.

Bhakta asserted that VAL has not yet replied over the peoples demand adding that the officials have not even given any further statement to media regarding the proposed package. He also said that another meeting will be held between December 20 and 30 after Parliament session is over and people would decide whether the industry will continue or not with the acceptance or denial of the proposed package.

He maintained that he would continue his agitation in non-violent ways. He said all the decisions were made in favour of the VAL by the CEC and Supreme Court. “So there is no alternative lying with us unless people join the mass movement. Public decision will be more powerful regarding the establishment of industry,’ he added.

Among others, Junagarh MLA Goberdhan Das, Lanjigarh MLA Shibaji Majhi, Green Kalahandi convenor Sidhartha Nayak, CPI(M) president Naba Kishore Pattnaik, CPI general secretary Dama Behera, Niyamgiri Surakhya Samiti president Kumti Majhi were present.