There was a stiff opposition from all quarters for Kalyanikhani Open Cast Project (OCP) at Mandamarri which the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) proposes to open at Mandamarri in Adilabad district. In the public hearing on the project with villagers, coal miners and opposition leaders, the project was vehemently opposed by all including Congress party’s Peddapalli MP G. Vivekanand.
There was commotion right from the beginning of the meeting as TRS and Telangana Boggu Gani Karmika Sangham (TBGKS) activists led by Chennur MLA Nallala Odelu raised slogans against the Kalyanikhani OCP. The MLA was bundled out of the venue by the police for a brief period following the ruckus. Congress MLC Venkat Rao favoured the project which would reduce the production costs and save the SCCL from doom besides aiding the power generation.
Villagers from Yerreguntapalle, which would be worst hit if the OCP gets a go ahead, staged a demonstration demanding withdrawal of the proposal for opening the Kalyanikhani OCP. Banoth Sarana from Mamidiguda, Gundam Ramaswamy from Yerrauntapalle, Durgam Bhuvanamma and Rapalli Srinivas from Kasipet among others, opined that the project would steal their livelihoods.
V.S. Krishna, general secretary of the Human Rights Forum (HRF) submitted a memorandum at the public hearing chaired by Collector A. Ashok giving details of the negative impact of the project. He found fault even with the manner in which the public hearing was held.
I am distressed whenever I see opposition to developmental activity that is beneficial to the local community as well as the entire country. No project suits out right. Leaders of the community should make sure that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. That is the sign of progress. This situation in particular is interesting, because Adilabad is a poor part of AP. In principle the people should welcome any economic activity that would provide jobs and help the local economy. Look at the picture above, these people who are supposed to be opposing are poor and uneducated. I would bet if they have detailed knowledge about the project and know what exactly they are opposing, except for raising some slogans about oppression. It appears to be the handiwork of the politicians and the leaders of the labor unions, the leaches who are sucking out the blood dry of the Indian society.
As there is a vehement opposion from the public and peoples representatives,the project should be kept in abeyance till the facts are established.When it is only beneficial to the company and the villagers are affected,the project should be shelved.public anger should be addressed first and the decision to go for a open cast mining should follow.The affected poeple should be truly and handsomely be compensated and let them be assured of livelihood and employemnt.
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