Bhubaneswar, Jan 8: Appealing Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi’s intervention to initiate immediate steps by the State Government for allocating soon permanent bauxite mine(s) to the Lanjigarh Vedanta Company, demands from the conscious inhabitants of Lanjigarh and its peripheral areas in tribal-dominated Kalahandi district have already started gaining momentum.

In a bid to reap the benefits as well as spur up the overall socio-economic growth and development of the district, the aggrieved and desperate locals have made this earnest appeal to the Odisha Chief Minister by submitting a memorandum through the Collector & District Magistrate of Kalahandi along with the Block Development Officer (BDO).

The procession started from the Horticulture Office premises in Biswanathpur and reached the Lanjigarh Block Office. More than four thousand people from Lanjigarh Workers' Association, Lanjigarh Merchants' Association, Lanjigarh Drivers' Association, Motor Vehicle Owners' Association and various political and social organizations of Kalahandi and Rayagada districts participated voluntarily in this Rally. The rally was led by Sridhar Pesnia, ex-MLA Sibaji Majhi, MD Ayub, Rajendra Pratap Singh Deo, Himadri Pesnia , lingaraj Majhi .

The memorandum highlights that the people of Kalahandi and Rayagada districts are elated at the establishment of an alumina refinery in this primitive tribal area (Lanjigarh in Kalahandi) which was known as one of the most backward regions of Odisha.

It has further been mentioned that their area is inhabited by one of the most primitive tribes Dongria and Kutia Kondhs, while Kalahandi district is also known as one of the poorest districts in India, and now being in the list of Aspirational Districts of Government of India.

The memorandum also highlights that a mega alumina refinery industry by the Vedanta has been set up for the first time in the history of Kalahandi for which the residents are indebted to the wise decision undertaken by the then Government as their long-awaited dream came true.

It has also been highlighted in the memorandum that the existing mega plant of Vedanta, established in 2003, has been producing alumina for the nation ironically without any permanent source of raw material (bauxite) formally allocated to it for the last 21 years following which the plant in operation is not only bearing heavy loss, but also adversely affecting the livelihood of the communities both directly and indirectly.

The aggrieved people in their memorandum have also cited that the nearby industries in adjoining Rayagada and Koraput districts are having permanent and adequate sources of bauxite mines amazingly despite their respective plants not yet commenced nor in operation.

Even the Government of Odisha and Government of India have allocated mines to some other companies who are yet to establish any plant(s) in the region, the people have complained in the memorandum.

Being upset at the allegedly step-motherly attitude shown by the competent authorities, the irate people of the region urge the Odisha Government to allocate soon the bauxite mine(s) present at Lanjigarh so that the existing plant as well as the local people sustain leading to the overall socio-economic development of the region.

The people in their memorandum have also clearly mentioned 16 pertinent points to solidify their legitimate demands, looking forward to the considerate and needful actions by the Chief Minister at the earliest.

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