Pay a price and mine bauxite: Bhakta

Expressbuzz, Oct 17, 2009

BHAWANIPATNA:  To explore bauxite in Kalahandi, Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (VAL) need to pay a price. It should help develop the district. Chief of Green Kalahandi, an anti-VAL outfit, and MP Bhakta Charan Das said this at a day-long debate organised by the outfit here yesterday. It was attended by anti and pro-VAL activists, opinion-makers and intellectuals of the district.Bhakta said VAL should mine bauxite in Soma mali and Sirji mali in the district in view of rich bio-diversity and tribal concentration in Niyamgiri.Mining in Niyamgiri can only be considered if national level scientists give a report that mining will not disturb bio-diversity and tribal life, he said. Over and above that to undertake mining in the district, VAL should be prepared to announce a package for the district, Das said.He said unless VAL agrees to the package, prepared by the outfit, it will face mass movement from December for closure of its alumina refinery plant at Lanjigarh. He said the company can’t be allowed to benefit at the cost of the district and its people.After further analysis of the draft package and rectifications it will be submitted to VAL and State Government and there will be open debate taking public into confidence, he said.The draft package pertains to environment, water supply, employment, education, health services, culture and infrastructure. Regarding environment, the proposal states that the company should ensure environment and ecology are not disturbed and a central team should visit the mine area in every four months for assessment. Environment clearance should be reviewed every year. For protection of ground water, VAL should construct a barrage at Kesinga over Tel river from where the company is now drawing water for its Lanjigarh plant.To create employment avenues for BPL families, VAL should invest for dairy and poultry projects in a phased manner.Local entrepreneurs should be given opportunity to set up ancillary industries and the displaced persons as well as Dangria/ Jharnia Kondhs should be taken as share holders of the company so that they can have stake in the company.VAL should extend Vedanta university in Puri to Kalahandi to impart education on geology, anthropology, tribal studies and ethnic medicinal system.All these may cost VAL around Rs 1500 to Rs 2000 crore, Das said.