Vedanta builds resting place for Kalahandi DC

KalingaTimes, March 13, 2010
KalingaTimes Correspondent


Bhubaneswar, March 13: Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL) has added two rooms to the Block Development Officer's office at Viswanathpur in Kalahandi district, according to the report submitted by Usha Ramanathan from Centre for Study on Developing Society.

Ramanathan, who visited Kalahandi as a Member of the three-member Committee from the Centre in January this year, has said in her report to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests that VAL had also furnished the two room it constructed to be used as a resting place for Kalahandi District Collector when he travels on duty.

“It was pointed out to us that there are instances where a government department has received material assistance from VAL, and that this could detract from the neutrality of the government department,” she has said in her report.

“As an instance, it was pointed out that two rooms had been added to the BDO's office in Viswanathpur, and furnished, by VAL as a resting place for the Collector when he travels on duty.

“This is a disturbing state of affairs and needs to be checked if the neutrality of the state is to be maintained,” Ramanathan said in her report that she submitted to the Centre on March 11.

The three member committee was sent by the MoEF in view of the allegations leveled against VAL regarding violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and to address concerns regarding tribal rights and wildlife.