Consent given in Palli Sabhas to transfer forest land under FRA for mining by VEDANTA
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, December 9: Ten Palli Sabhas have in conducted in villages namely Malipadar, Dumerpadar, Kantamal, Bundel, Aliguna, Sagabari, Pelankona, Kkatibata under Sunger Panchayat in Kashipur Block of Rayagada District & Tijimali and Chulubadi under Talam Padar Panchayat of Thuamul Rampur Block in Kalahandi District in the presence of concerned govt personnel, mining officials and police.
The villagers coming under Sijimali mining area have demanded suitable alternative land against their forest lands allotted to them under Forest Rights Act(FRA), roads, medical facilities, employment to qualified youths or pensions to the family members, safe drinking water facilities, ponds, telephone towers, etc. The Company has agreed to almost all the demands of the villagers.
Land Cover of the Mine Lease Area includes Private land 127.9 Ha, Government land 722.9 Ha, Forest land 699.7 Ha totalling Mining lease area (MLA) as 1549.022 Ha. Life of the mine will be 31 years..
It may be noted that Sijimali Block is a virgin mining block & a Greenfield Mining Area, which has been recently auctioned & Letter of Intent(LOI) was issued to Vedanta Company. Recently public hearings were done in Rayagada & Kalahandi districts, where public resistance on mining was seen. But, these palli sabhas in the would be affected villages, conducted in a peaceful manner, have raised innumerable hopes and aspirations among the locals and the company.
