Times of India, Jan 14, 2013
Lanjigarh: Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh categorically told a team of Vedanta Alumina Limited (VAL) officials on Sunday he is not the forest and environment minister and that he cannot do anything to help them mine Niyamgiri hills in Lanjigarh.
The team, led by VAL chief operating officer (COO) Mukesh Kumar, met Ramesh and submitted a memorandum urging him to do something to help run the plant, which has remained closed for more than a month due to shortage of bauxite. "You took the matter to the Supreme Court and now I can't help in this matter. However, if you have anything to say about rural development department, I can do something," the minister told the VAL delegation.
At least 50 local youths, who were deprived of jobs in VAL following its closure, also met the minister, urging him to provide them an alternative or facilitate supply of raw materials to VAL soon so that they can continue to work there. "We met the minister and requested him to help us with an alternative source of earning. Like hundreds of local educated youths in the district, we had a dream of getting employed in our own region. VAL had given us jobs. But after the closure of the alumina refinery, our dreams have been shattered," said Susanta Hial, who was working as a contract labourer in the plant.
VAL employs over 3,500 people. At least 10,000 people depend on the plant directly or indirectly for their livelihood, said sources.
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