Majority of tribal population in the foothill of Niyamgiri condemned the action by some of the NGOs to stop their socio-economic development. A lot development initiative is being taken up by Vedanta Aluminium Limited under its corporate social responsibility program. “However, some of the NGOs are instigating villagers to oppose the development work. If we do not support, they are threatening us”, said one of the villager in the Phuldumer village, seeking anonymity.
Earlier, these villages had hardly any basic facilities. There was no road and no school. Availing basic health care facilities were a distance dream. According to Chanchala Majhi, Naib-Sarpanch of Trilochanpur GP, “after intervention of Vedanta our children are now going to school, doctors are coming regularly to our village to provide health care services. We also get ambulance facilities in critical situations. We are very thankful to Vedanta”.
The company has started development of a motorable road to most of the tribal dominated villages under Trilochanpur GP. However, some of the vested interest groups are trying to stop the road construction work, in the name of saving environment. Criticizing the activities and intention of NGOs, who try to stop these developmental works, Ratu Majhi of Khemdipadar Village said “They have never come to our village earlier, neither they have given us any kind of support for development. These people should go away from our area”. The villagers were also frightened up by the NGO workers for not supporting their move. Recently, some of the NGO workers burnt a childcare center at Phuldumer village, as the villagers did not attend a meeting convened by NGOs.
Vedanta Aluminium has established Child Care Centers in different villages to promote education among tribal children. Children are given nutritious food in these centers. Mobile health team of the company visits the villages regularly, providing basic health services and medicine free of cost. Ambulance facilities are also provided, as per the need. The activities of the company have also generated a lot of employment opportunities for the tribal villagers.
Source: http://odishacsr.wordpress.com
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