 Online edition of India's National Newspaper Sunday, Sep 21, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tamil Nadu |
|
News:
ePaper |
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
Advts: Retail Plus | Classifieds | Jobs | Obituary |
Tamil Nadu
Samata raises issue with the President ‘Collect Rs.100 royalty on each tonne of ore’ VISAKHAPATNAM: Even as the State Government has intensified its efforts to commence mining of bauxite in the Visakha Agency, and reportedly told the District Administration to start operations during December at any cost, and establish alumina refineries and cogeneration plants in the plain area, resistance to the same is increasing. Bauxite mining would destroy the forest area inhabited by Girijans and having rich flora and fauna while the alumina plants would heavily pollute the environment. The AP State Pollution Control Board is holding an environment public hearing on the mining activity on October 3 at Chintapalli in the Visakha Agency area to complete a formality. Samata, a city-based NGO, recently sent a memorandum to President Pratibha Patil to intervene, as she is the custodian of Girijans of the country as per the V Schedule of the Constitution. It wanted her to get the public hearing postponed indefinitely. Executive Director of Samata, Ravi Rebbapragada, in the memorandum wanted a fresh opinion from the Tribal Advisory Committee, consisting of Girijan MLAs, and whose consent is mandatory to any major decision the Government takes regarding Girijans in the Scheduled areas. TAC during 2000, when the Telugu Desam was in power, gave consent after its members were taken to the Nalco’s mining areas in Orissa and provided some information. (But later the TDP Government dropped the mining plan in the face of opposition from the Girijans and all other sections). However, Mr. Ravi pointed out that the situation had changed a lot after eight years as the Girijans in Orissa displaced due to mining and alumina refineries faced many problems and resistance to mining and other plants in Orissa was continuing. The present TAC should take a decision only after considering the prevailing situation in Orissa, Mr. Ravi said while recalling Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s reservations about the mining projects during his visit to Orissa a few months ago. The memorandum also highlighted some other aspects. The MoUs signed with the Jindal South West (Boddavara plant) and the Anrak (Makavarapalem) violated the “Samata” judgement of the Supreme Court as it made the AP Mining Development Corporation a benami agency to take up mining. In case the Government had its way, by getting all permissions and clearances, Samata proposed that a cooperative of Girijans be formed and royalty of Rs.100 collected from the APMDC on each tonne of ore and paid to the society to be spent on Girijans.
Printer friendly
page
News:
ePaper |
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | The Hindu ePaper | Business Line | Business Line ePaper | Sportstar | Frontline | Publications | eBooks | Images | Home |
Copyright © 2008, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|