From mineral resources to human resources: Constructive solutions to speed up mega projects in Orissa by taking care of the people
Following is from Dharitri:
Today Pioneer reports on MP Bhakta Das’s demand to Vedanta with respect to Lanjigarh. Following is an excerpt from that report.
Das said the package should include direct employment of 5,000 locals in technical fields and indirect employment of 10,000 locals in non-technical fields, establishment of five technical colleges like medical, engineering, polytechnic and ITI and five central schools in the district.
Asked whether he would consider supporting extraction of bauxite in the Niyamgiri hill if VAL declares such a package, Das replied that a decision in this regard would be taken with consent of all citizens at a meeting where the industry would sign an agreement before the public.
Development of healthcare, roads, education and irrigation, connection of electricity to all villages, social activities, plantation, peripheral development and permanent income source for displaced people and tribals with lifetime free education to their children are also part of the package, he said. The industry would ensure that the flow of waters of rivers and streams in the Niyamgiri hill would not be affected. Consent of the tribals would have to be taken before handing over the hill, he said.
This is a constructive approach. I hope Vedanta agrees to it. (Although Vedanta’s Chairman is establishing a Rs 15,000 crore Vedanta University near Puri, with Rs 5000 crore of his own money, Vedanta should also pay attention to the localities where its industries are coming up and where its mining operations are located; in particular Lanjigarh and Jharsuguda; as those areas will bear the burnt of the pollution and environmental side effects and also many people there will be losing their lands.)
Following the above table the companies behind the other mega-projects should do the same. We list them here.
- Arcelor Mittal @ Keonjhar:
- POSCO @ Paradeep
- Jindal thermal @ Angul; Jindal Steel and Power @Kalinganagar
- Tata Steel, Kalinganagar
- Vedanta @ Jharsuguda and @ Lanjigarh; Sterlite Iron & Steel @Keonjhar
- Bhusan @ Kalinganagar
- Uttam Galva @Bistapal, Keonjhar
- Wellspun @Bhadrakh
- Aditya Aluminum @Rayagada @Sambalpur
- Essar Steel @Paradeep
- Essel Energy
To be continued …
2 comments September 19th, 2009