Express News Service
Bhubaneswar, December 24
WITH the sound and fury dying down in the aftermath of Centre’s no to Niyamgiri mining by Vedanta, a fresh move has begun to revive the issue. The State Government, in a letter to the Centre, has sought review of the decision. And it has polled all statistics to show that no violation did ever take place and Niyamgiri mining be allowed.
The proposal should be reconsidered in a proper perspective and the stage-II clearance accorded, the letter said. It reportedly maintains that there are no ST community members in the Niyamgiri reserve forest area in Kalahandi district.
The Government also gave assurance to the Environ Ministry that mining activities could start without hurting ecology of the area. The letter comes exactly four months after the Centre rejected environment clearance to the mining project proposed by the State owned OMC to feed raw material to Vedanta’s alumina refinery at Lanjigarh.
The letter, sent by the Environment and Forest Department on Wednesday, says that the matter concerning violation of the Forest Rights Act have been investigated by the ST & SC Development Department. All pending claims pertaining to diversion of 660.74 hectares of forest land by the mining project are being taken care of in accordance to law, the Government claimed.
The minister for Steel and Mines Raghunath Mohanty asserted that no tribal actually lived in the reserve forest area of Niyamgiri and all work at the project was done as per the Supreme Court judgment.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
No Tribal Lives in Niyamgiri Hills: Orissa Govt
Annoyed over the Centre's rejection of a proposal to start bauxite mining atop Niyamgiri hills in Orissa's Kalahandi district, the state government today said no tribal was living in Niyamgiri Reserve Forest area spreading over 2,100 hectare.
This was stated by Orissa Steel and Mines minister Raghunath Mohanty while replying a question in the assembly. "As per the information available with the state government, no scheduled tribe person lives in the Niyamgiri reserve forest area," he said.
He said the total area of Niyamgiri area was 30.032 km. "There was no village in Niyamgiri area also," the minister said.
Stating that an estimated 88 million tonne of bauxite was reserved in Niyamgiri hills, the minister said that two central organisations like Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) had undertaken survey work in the area.
The state owned Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) was about to start bauxite mining atop Niyamrigi hills to feed Vedanta Alumina Limited (VAL)'s refinery at Lanjigarh when the Union ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) rejected the proposal on August 24.
source: http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?706031
This was stated by Orissa Steel and Mines minister Raghunath Mohanty while replying a question in the assembly. "As per the information available with the state government, no scheduled tribe person lives in the Niyamgiri reserve forest area," he said.
He said the total area of Niyamgiri area was 30.032 km. "There was no village in Niyamgiri area also," the minister said.
Stating that an estimated 88 million tonne of bauxite was reserved in Niyamgiri hills, the minister said that two central organisations like Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) had undertaken survey work in the area.
The state owned Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) was about to start bauxite mining atop Niyamrigi hills to feed Vedanta Alumina Limited (VAL)'s refinery at Lanjigarh when the Union ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) rejected the proposal on August 24.
source: http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?706031
Friday, December 17, 2010
MoEF’s double standards?
Courtesy: Express News Service
No To Vedanta, Yes To Commercial Complex
Strange are the ways of government! The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest which withdrew environmental clearance for Vedanta has now given the go-ahead for a commercial space in the Durgapur Reserve Forest.
Located prominently along the highway, Durgapur reserve has long been falling prey to illegal encroachment with a local business house driving the last nail in the green canopy's coffin by engaging heavy earth moving equipment to carve out space for a commercial complex at the cost of the hill.
It is learnt that the proposal for de-reservation of the contentious area was approved by the Centre on the recommendation of the State Government.
Protesting the chopping of the greenery at Vedvyas along the State Highway 10, hundreds of tribal people, mostly women, took to the streets to save the natural assets.
The tribals under the banner of Jal, Jungle, Jamin Suraksha Committee on Wednesday took out a rally from Saw Mill area to Vedvyas square where a meeting was held. They closed all shops and vowed to save the hill from encroachers at all costs and demanded measures to restore the massive green canopy, that the hills once possessed.
Panposh Divisional Forest Officer Atish Behera confirmed that the forest de-reservation proposal of the said business house was approved by the Centre and they have little say on the issue.
No To Vedanta, Yes To Commercial Complex
Strange are the ways of government! The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest which withdrew environmental clearance for Vedanta has now given the go-ahead for a commercial space in the Durgapur Reserve Forest.
Located prominently along the highway, Durgapur reserve has long been falling prey to illegal encroachment with a local business house driving the last nail in the green canopy's coffin by engaging heavy earth moving equipment to carve out space for a commercial complex at the cost of the hill.
It is learnt that the proposal for de-reservation of the contentious area was approved by the Centre on the recommendation of the State Government.
Protesting the chopping of the greenery at Vedvyas along the State Highway 10, hundreds of tribal people, mostly women, took to the streets to save the natural assets.
The tribals under the banner of Jal, Jungle, Jamin Suraksha Committee on Wednesday took out a rally from Saw Mill area to Vedvyas square where a meeting was held. They closed all shops and vowed to save the hill from encroachers at all costs and demanded measures to restore the massive green canopy, that the hills once possessed.
Panposh Divisional Forest Officer Atish Behera confirmed that the forest de-reservation proposal of the said business house was approved by the Centre and they have little say on the issue.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Ban halts development at Lanjigarh
What if Rs. 10 crore spent on the development of Lanjigarh and its nearby area, or what if Rs 30 crore spent? This is true as according to verdict of the honourable Supreme Court of India, Sterlite Industries is required to deposit 5% of annual profits before tax and interest from Lanjigarh project or Rs 10 crore per annum whichever is higher. Lanjigarh, which is one of the poorest regions in India, would change from a poor region to a most developed place. However, all this good things would have happened if mining at Niyamgiri was permitted by the MoEF which is not the reality. The following news published in “Economic Times” by M V Ramsurya speaks the same.
Ban halts development at Lanjigarh
By M V Ramsurya | ET Bureau
MUMBAI: After stopping bauxite mining in Orissa the government now finds itself in a bind on the issue of rehabilitation in Lanjigarh. Corporate-backed developmental activities in the tribal region, one of the most backward places in the country, have come to a standstill following the environment ministry's ban on mining.
The Anil Agarwal-controlled Sterlite Industries had been ordered by the Supreme Court in August 2008 to spend about 5% of its profit for development activity at Lanjigarh.
Since the environment ministry in August 2010 had barred mining, the rehabilitation package which includes about Rs 10 crore of annual development activity including the building of roads, schools and hospitals, has now been stopped.
"If disbursement from the development fund were to continue, it would imply approval of mining which would be contrary to the ministry's order," said one person directly involved in the developmental work. On August 30, 2010, the ministry of environment and forests issued a notice barring bauxite mining in Niyamgiri on grounds of violation of environmental norms.
According to the same person quoted earlier, if the government asks Sterlite to stop developmental activity it would amount to contempt of court as it would go against the Supreme Court directive.
"Under our order we suggested rehabilitation package under which Sterlite Industries is required to deposit 5% of annual profits before tax and interest from Lanjigarh project or Rs 10 crore per annum whichever is higher," said the Supreme Court order. "The said project covers both mining and refining. The amount is required to be deposited by Sterlite Industries every year commencing from April 1, 2007. For the above reasons, we hereby grant clearance to the forest diversion proposal," read the order dated August 8, 2008.
A spokesperson for Vedanta Resources , the parent company for Sterlite Industries, declined to comment on the issue. Mails sent to the envioronment ministry also went unanswered.
For tribals of the area, the halt in developmental activity has compounded their woes. "We have wasted our time for nothing. Now, we want basic facilities like education and healthcare first. Industrial development can come later," said Jitu Jakasika, a Dongriya Kondh tribal, one of the new few people to have studied.
Among the projects which have been left uncertain include a Rs 3 crore hospital and a Rs 1.8 crore tribal school upgradation in the Lanjigarh block.
Bauxite mining at Niyamgiri had attracted global attention after reports that the company had allegedly not consulted tribals before embarking on mining, thereby prompting the local population to mount stiff opposition to the project. International NGOs highlighted that mining would destroy sacred tribal areas and also impact the environment.
The controversy finally led the government to issue its notification to stop mining activity.
Ban halts development at Lanjigarh
By M V Ramsurya | ET Bureau
MUMBAI: After stopping bauxite mining in Orissa the government now finds itself in a bind on the issue of rehabilitation in Lanjigarh. Corporate-backed developmental activities in the tribal region, one of the most backward places in the country, have come to a standstill following the environment ministry's ban on mining.
The Anil Agarwal-controlled Sterlite Industries had been ordered by the Supreme Court in August 2008 to spend about 5% of its profit for development activity at Lanjigarh.
Since the environment ministry in August 2010 had barred mining, the rehabilitation package which includes about Rs 10 crore of annual development activity including the building of roads, schools and hospitals, has now been stopped.
"If disbursement from the development fund were to continue, it would imply approval of mining which would be contrary to the ministry's order," said one person directly involved in the developmental work. On August 30, 2010, the ministry of environment and forests issued a notice barring bauxite mining in Niyamgiri on grounds of violation of environmental norms.
According to the same person quoted earlier, if the government asks Sterlite to stop developmental activity it would amount to contempt of court as it would go against the Supreme Court directive.
"Under our order we suggested rehabilitation package under which Sterlite Industries is required to deposit 5% of annual profits before tax and interest from Lanjigarh project or Rs 10 crore per annum whichever is higher," said the Supreme Court order. "The said project covers both mining and refining. The amount is required to be deposited by Sterlite Industries every year commencing from April 1, 2007. For the above reasons, we hereby grant clearance to the forest diversion proposal," read the order dated August 8, 2008.
A spokesperson for Vedanta Resources , the parent company for Sterlite Industries, declined to comment on the issue. Mails sent to the envioronment ministry also went unanswered.
For tribals of the area, the halt in developmental activity has compounded their woes. "We have wasted our time for nothing. Now, we want basic facilities like education and healthcare first. Industrial development can come later," said Jitu Jakasika, a Dongriya Kondh tribal, one of the new few people to have studied.
Among the projects which have been left uncertain include a Rs 3 crore hospital and a Rs 1.8 crore tribal school upgradation in the Lanjigarh block.
Bauxite mining at Niyamgiri had attracted global attention after reports that the company had allegedly not consulted tribals before embarking on mining, thereby prompting the local population to mount stiff opposition to the project. International NGOs highlighted that mining would destroy sacred tribal areas and also impact the environment.
The controversy finally led the government to issue its notification to stop mining activity.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Andhra rolls out red carpet for Vedanta varsity
Going by the recent news, it seems Orissa has been in the receiving end when it comes to development is concerned. Be it denial of Environmental clearance to Niyamgiri Bauxite mining by MoEF or denial to POSCO, the sufferer would be the people of Orissa, which is a tribal dominated state. How long will the tribal people live without education, without proper health care facility, without proper infrastructure?
The recent news, published in Business-Standard on December 10, 2010 by Kalpana Pathak says Andhra Pradesh is keen to have Vedanta University.
Andhra rolls out red carpet for Vedanta varsity
Kalpana Pathak / Mumbai, December 10, 2010
The Andhra Pradesh government has rolled out a red carpet for the Anil Agarwal Foundation’s proposed Rs 15,000-crore Vedanta University project, after the Orissa High Court termed the land acquisition process illegal for the multi-disciplinary university in Puri.
In a letter to Anil Agarwal, chairman and founder of Vedanta Resources, K Rosaiah, then chief minister of the state, said, “Andhra Pradesh strongly believes in nurturing great institutions of learning to empower youth, realise demographic dividend in full measure and to truly make the state a global center of learning.”
Despite Rosaiah resigning last month, state government officials say the state is keen on Vedanta considering their proposal. “Even if Rosaiah resigned, we still have a Congress government in the state and we are keen to have Vedanta University on board. The ball is in Anil Agarwal’s court now,” said a senior state government official.
The official said Vedanta University officials were shown three different sites in September. These lands, however, are private ones and would be sold to Vedanta at reasonable rates.
It was suggested to Vedanta officials to have the university’s head office in Hyderabad, with campuses in other cities, including Bangalore and Chennai.
“Instead of setting up a campus in one city, they can spread it over to other cities too. We have shown them land, which is at a reasonable distance from Bangalore and Chennai, and would be connected through the golden quadrilateral,” the official added.
Andhra Pradesh has already invited institutions like the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, CMC Vellore, and Indian Institute of Science. Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, is setting up a satellite campus in the state.
Vedanta University is modelled on Stanford University and aims to be a world-class, multi-disciplinary university, with students from around the world. However, the varsity, which was to begin operations by mid-2011, has not even started the basic infrastructure work on the land due to stiff opposition from locals and lack of political support.
The foundation had earlier told Business Standard that if it was not able to set up the university in Orissa, the land acquired could be made into an extended arm of the university, which could be housed outside Orissa. A director of a local institute told Business Standard: “The university concept is a good one and if Vedanta opts out, it would be an opportunity loss for Orissa.”
The recent news, published in Business-Standard on December 10, 2010 by Kalpana Pathak says Andhra Pradesh is keen to have Vedanta University.
Andhra rolls out red carpet for Vedanta varsity
Kalpana Pathak / Mumbai, December 10, 2010
The Andhra Pradesh government has rolled out a red carpet for the Anil Agarwal Foundation’s proposed Rs 15,000-crore Vedanta University project, after the Orissa High Court termed the land acquisition process illegal for the multi-disciplinary university in Puri.
In a letter to Anil Agarwal, chairman and founder of Vedanta Resources, K Rosaiah, then chief minister of the state, said, “Andhra Pradesh strongly believes in nurturing great institutions of learning to empower youth, realise demographic dividend in full measure and to truly make the state a global center of learning.”
Despite Rosaiah resigning last month, state government officials say the state is keen on Vedanta considering their proposal. “Even if Rosaiah resigned, we still have a Congress government in the state and we are keen to have Vedanta University on board. The ball is in Anil Agarwal’s court now,” said a senior state government official.
The official said Vedanta University officials were shown three different sites in September. These lands, however, are private ones and would be sold to Vedanta at reasonable rates.
It was suggested to Vedanta officials to have the university’s head office in Hyderabad, with campuses in other cities, including Bangalore and Chennai.
“Instead of setting up a campus in one city, they can spread it over to other cities too. We have shown them land, which is at a reasonable distance from Bangalore and Chennai, and would be connected through the golden quadrilateral,” the official added.
Andhra Pradesh has already invited institutions like the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, CMC Vellore, and Indian Institute of Science. Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, is setting up a satellite campus in the state.
Vedanta University is modelled on Stanford University and aims to be a world-class, multi-disciplinary university, with students from around the world. However, the varsity, which was to begin operations by mid-2011, has not even started the basic infrastructure work on the land due to stiff opposition from locals and lack of political support.
The foundation had earlier told Business Standard that if it was not able to set up the university in Orissa, the land acquired could be made into an extended arm of the university, which could be housed outside Orissa. A director of a local institute told Business Standard: “The university concept is a good one and if Vedanta opts out, it would be an opportunity loss for Orissa.”
Thursday, December 9, 2010
MoEF’s apathetic approach on Environmental clearance
Recently the MoEF has been news for stalling several economic development projects. Instead of finding a sustainable approach for co-existence of industry and environment, the ministry has started a kind of activism since the beginning of UPA-II regime. One of the major victims of the so-called environmental activism has been the State of Orissa, which is one of the poorest states in India, in spite of having rich mineral resources.
However, the double standard of MoEF’s activism has recently evident from its decision regarding the environmental clearance for Jindal Power Limited Chhattisgarh. Though the MoEF has stopped two mega industrial projects in Orissa – Niyamgiri Bauxite Mining Project by OMC & Sterlite Industries and POSCO Steel Project – on the basis of reports submitted by committees, composed of well known environmental activists; the MoEF approved Environmental clearance for Jindal Power Limited for putting up 4x600 MW Power Plant at Tamnar in Gharghoda Tahsil, in Raigarh District of Chhattisgarh. But the TOR for the same project was withdrawn u/s 5 of Environmental Protection Act for violation of ‘EIA Notification-2006’ on June 18 2010
This project came in news when MoEF realized that 2400 MW project cannot be installed just in 62 Ha of land based on which TOR was cleared in March 2009 against normal requirement for such a mega project to the tune around 1000Ha. The project authority has gone beyond this and started construction on a site for which no land acquisition was taken place and site was totally different than shown in the TOR. On receipt of a complaint from a NGO that project construction has started without EC on a different site for which no Public Hearing has been conducted, MoEF was forced to withdraw the TOR on 18.06.2010 for violation of EIA Notification 2006 and starting construction without obtaining Prior Environmental Clearance. , JPL had not informed MoEF about the relocation of the project also to another site.
In a dramatic turn, JPL case was again put up in EAC meeting at MoEF within one month of withdrawal of TOR for grant of EC on 9th August, 2010 where JPL had accepted their mistakes and revised land use pattern besides giving justification for various issues raised by NGO as well as environmental experts. MoEF has ignored the observation of Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) that the proposed site is a coal bearing area and again accepted the justification of JPL that approval for locating plant in Coal bearing area shall be taken from Ministry of Coal in due course of time. Since no land was available, it was made to understand that the coal storage area requiring around 250 Acre of land will be located at a distance of 30KM from the plant land requirement for ash pond was limited to just 4 years requirement by stating that all ash will be 100% utilized after 4 years. It is further reported that Coal trandfer shall be through a Pipe Conveyor for which permission of right of way shall be obtained in due course of time as no land has been acquired or available. Since, Pipe conveyor also have physical structure, it can be installed only by acquiring land and not by obtaining right of way. Since, MoEF was to clear the project, all aspects have been overlooked and finally Environmental Clearance has been granted in the meeting of October, 2010 by restoring the original TOR.
The clearance of such a mega project clearly shows the type of transparency being maintained by MoEF and strengthen the concern of Mr Naveen Pattnaik, Chief Minister, of step motherly and vindictive attitude of Central Government towards Orissa State It is to be noted that Vedanta Alumina Refinery Expansion from 1-6 MTPA was also issued direction u/s 5 for violation of EIA Notification 2006 in August 2010 and since then project has been stopped by affecting livelihood of more that 10,000 people. MoEF is reluctant to consider grant of EC for this project even though a circular has been issued by MoEF on 16th November, 2010 that as instances have come to their notice where substantial progress has been made with substantial investment inviolation of EIA Notification 2006, all such projects can be considered for EC provided their board submit an undertaking that such mistakes shall not be repeated. It has been come to the notice that no such undertaking was sought from JPL which was cleared much before 16th November 2010 .
Before it is too late , time has come for people of Orissa to introspect and take a line so that development of Orissa is not stopped and much awaited clearances for various projects in Orissa is granted by MoEF without futher delay. This may require a better understanding between state and centre for the benefit of people of Orissa. The leaders of state politics also has to understand that such blatant favor and vindictive attitude of Central Government towards Orissa State can not go unnoticed by the people of Orissa . To stop the repeat of Bihar in Orissa, it is necessary that projects of Orissa should be cleared on priority to realize the dream of our late leaders like Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Biju Pattnaik of bringing tribal community into main stream.
The clearance of JPL project even before issuance of circular has raised many question the answers of which may be available in time to come. Why there was an hurry in issuing EC to JPL only ever before issue of such circular? It is clear that Mr, Jairam Ramesh was under tremendous pressure form his party for showing favor to his party’s colleagues and stopping development at Orissa State. Can MoEF justify that no favor has been shown ? Orissa is a poor state but rich in mineral and let Orissa also to develop. This is possible only if people can think above party line.
However, the double standard of MoEF’s activism has recently evident from its decision regarding the environmental clearance for Jindal Power Limited Chhattisgarh. Though the MoEF has stopped two mega industrial projects in Orissa – Niyamgiri Bauxite Mining Project by OMC & Sterlite Industries and POSCO Steel Project – on the basis of reports submitted by committees, composed of well known environmental activists; the MoEF approved Environmental clearance for Jindal Power Limited for putting up 4x600 MW Power Plant at Tamnar in Gharghoda Tahsil, in Raigarh District of Chhattisgarh. But the TOR for the same project was withdrawn u/s 5 of Environmental Protection Act for violation of ‘EIA Notification-2006’ on June 18 2010
This project came in news when MoEF realized that 2400 MW project cannot be installed just in 62 Ha of land based on which TOR was cleared in March 2009 against normal requirement for such a mega project to the tune around 1000Ha. The project authority has gone beyond this and started construction on a site for which no land acquisition was taken place and site was totally different than shown in the TOR. On receipt of a complaint from a NGO that project construction has started without EC on a different site for which no Public Hearing has been conducted, MoEF was forced to withdraw the TOR on 18.06.2010 for violation of EIA Notification 2006 and starting construction without obtaining Prior Environmental Clearance. , JPL had not informed MoEF about the relocation of the project also to another site.
In a dramatic turn, JPL case was again put up in EAC meeting at MoEF within one month of withdrawal of TOR for grant of EC on 9th August, 2010 where JPL had accepted their mistakes and revised land use pattern besides giving justification for various issues raised by NGO as well as environmental experts. MoEF has ignored the observation of Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) that the proposed site is a coal bearing area and again accepted the justification of JPL that approval for locating plant in Coal bearing area shall be taken from Ministry of Coal in due course of time. Since no land was available, it was made to understand that the coal storage area requiring around 250 Acre of land will be located at a distance of 30KM from the plant land requirement for ash pond was limited to just 4 years requirement by stating that all ash will be 100% utilized after 4 years. It is further reported that Coal trandfer shall be through a Pipe Conveyor for which permission of right of way shall be obtained in due course of time as no land has been acquired or available. Since, Pipe conveyor also have physical structure, it can be installed only by acquiring land and not by obtaining right of way. Since, MoEF was to clear the project, all aspects have been overlooked and finally Environmental Clearance has been granted in the meeting of October, 2010 by restoring the original TOR.
The clearance of such a mega project clearly shows the type of transparency being maintained by MoEF and strengthen the concern of Mr Naveen Pattnaik, Chief Minister, of step motherly and vindictive attitude of Central Government towards Orissa State It is to be noted that Vedanta Alumina Refinery Expansion from 1-6 MTPA was also issued direction u/s 5 for violation of EIA Notification 2006 in August 2010 and since then project has been stopped by affecting livelihood of more that 10,000 people. MoEF is reluctant to consider grant of EC for this project even though a circular has been issued by MoEF on 16th November, 2010 that as instances have come to their notice where substantial progress has been made with substantial investment inviolation of EIA Notification 2006, all such projects can be considered for EC provided their board submit an undertaking that such mistakes shall not be repeated. It has been come to the notice that no such undertaking was sought from JPL which was cleared much before 16th November 2010 .
Before it is too late , time has come for people of Orissa to introspect and take a line so that development of Orissa is not stopped and much awaited clearances for various projects in Orissa is granted by MoEF without futher delay. This may require a better understanding between state and centre for the benefit of people of Orissa. The leaders of state politics also has to understand that such blatant favor and vindictive attitude of Central Government towards Orissa State can not go unnoticed by the people of Orissa . To stop the repeat of Bihar in Orissa, it is necessary that projects of Orissa should be cleared on priority to realize the dream of our late leaders like Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Biju Pattnaik of bringing tribal community into main stream.
The clearance of JPL project even before issuance of circular has raised many question the answers of which may be available in time to come. Why there was an hurry in issuing EC to JPL only ever before issue of such circular? It is clear that Mr, Jairam Ramesh was under tremendous pressure form his party for showing favor to his party’s colleagues and stopping development at Orissa State. Can MoEF justify that no favor has been shown ? Orissa is a poor state but rich in mineral and let Orissa also to develop. This is possible only if people can think above party line.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)