Terming the public hearing conducted for Sesa Sterlite’s (formerly Vedanta Alumina Limited) expansion of its Lanjigarh facility in Kalahandi district as ‘illegal’, activists and members of different political and social organisations staged protest here on Thursday.
“When tribal people have given their verdict through Gram Sabha resolutions, the company has lost legal as well as ethical ground to stay-put in Lanjigarh,” said Mahendra Parida of CPI (M-L) here.
Mr. Parida said Vedanta group currently do not have any dedicated bauxite reserve to feed Lanjigarh facility and under such circumstances, holding public hearing for expansion has obviously come under suspicion.
“Tribals in Niyamgiri Hill range and those living in proximity of Lanjigarh feel threatened thinking of intent of the company,” he said.
Activists demanded that the State government should immediately severe all its ties with Vedanta group. According to reports, the public hearing held for proposed expansion of refinery from one million tonne per annum to 6 mtpa witnessed riotous scenes when tribals under the banner of Niyamgiri Surakshya Samiti barged into the venue near Lanjigarh on Wednesday.
They alleged that Odisha State Pollution Control Board and Kalahandi District administration were rushing through the process denying participation to those who would be directly affected by the project.
