GOVT MULLS MINING IN NIYAMGIRI HILLS AGAIN Wednesday, 28 October 2015 | PNS | BHUBANESWAR | in Bhubaneswar 1

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GOVT MULLS MINING IN NIYAMGIRI HILLS AGAIN

Wednesday, 28 October 2015 | PNS | BHUBANESWAR | in Bhubaneswar

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The State Government is seriously considering to hold Gram Sabhas once again in Niyamgiri hills for bauxite mining activities.

Two years ago, the villagers of 12 villages residing in and around the hills in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts had strongly protested against mining in the hills. They had expressed their views through a series of Gram Sabhas which were held following a Supreme Court’s direction pertaining to a row of mineral exploration by the Vedanta. 

However, this time the State Government has prepared a plan to extract bauxite from Niyamgiri through the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) to ensure long-term supply of bauxite to the companies with whom it has signed pacts.

Since the villagers denied any mining activities and as any further such activities require nod of the Supreme Court, the Mines Department has sought legal advice on the matter.

Based on the recommendation of the legal experts, the Government would take a final decision whether to seek nod of the Supreme Court or the Union Forests and Environment Ministry in this regard.

 “Earlier the Gram Sabhas were conducted with approval from the Supreme Court. Hence, we are now seeking legal advice on whether we should approach the Supreme Court or the Union Forests and Environment Ministry to conduct the same again,” said Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick.

Meanwhile, experts maintained that it would be a difficult task for the Government to get the nod of the Supreme Court to hold Gram Sabhas in view of the strong protests of the tribals to extraction of minerals.