Vedanta Suratarangini Football Challenge Shield begins

Vedanta Suratarangini Football Challenge Shield 2011, organized by Kalahandi District Athletic Association, started for the 47th time at Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, Bhawanipatna on August 29, 2011 where 22 teams from across Kalahandi district will lock horns against each other to lift the Cup. The champion this time will play the pre-qualifiers of Kalinga Cup.
The Opening Day function was graced by ADM Kalahandi Mr. Ashok Nayak, Dr. Mukesh Kumar-President Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL), Lanjigarh and Mr. Sanjay Pattnaik-Vice president–VAL and other intellectuals of Kalahandi.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mukesh Kumar, said, “Promoting sports culture around the district Vedanta’s one of the prime objectives towards making Kalahandi a developed zone in Orissa. Suratarangini Football Shield is doing excellent work in displaying young talents from across Kalahandi; and we are proud to promote young football players of Kalahandi.”
Suratarangini Football Challenge is the official competition from where Kalahandi district team is also being selected every year whereas VAL has been sponsoring the tournament since 2007-08. Going to a step ahead, the tournament has achieved a new feat this year as Jagabandhu Pattnaik, General Secretary of Kalahandi District Athletic Association, says “Champions will play in the pre qualifiers of the Kalinga Cup”.
The history of Suratarangini Football Challenge goes back to pre-independence era when the Kalahandi Kingdom used to organize the event. However, later, the dynasty handed over to the Kalahandi District Athletic Association to organize.
The final of the knock out tournament will be played on September 23 while a total of 22 teams are participating in the Championship this time.
The Opening Day also witnessed Kalahandi sporting sensation Jogabyasa Bhoi being awarded with the honour of Kalahandi Ratna. Jogabyasa recently conquered Mt. Everest.

ISO 50001:2011 Certification for Vedanta’s Alumina Refinery at Lanjigarh in Orissa

Vedanta Aluminium Limited, (VAL), an Associate Company of the globally diversified, metals and mining group Vedanta Resources PLC. became the first Mining & Metal Industry in the country to get accreditation for its Energy Management System for ISO 50001:2011 from the British Standards Institution, for efficiently managing the existing natural resources and mitigating the impact of climate change, at its Lanjigarh Unit in Orissa.

ISO 50001:2011, the international standard on energy management, seeks to drive the attention of Industrial houses to lay greater emphasis and focus on augmenting their existing energy efficiency. In other words, it is a carefully drafted and systematically presented framework for entwining energy efficiency into management practices so that the existing energy-consuming assets can be used in a better manner which will ultimately help in reducing levels of Green House Gas emission.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mukesh Kumar – President & COO, VAL Lanjigarh, said, “With the obtaining of the ISO 50001:2011, VAL aims to minimize energy consumption to a greater level. The accreditation for ISO 50001 also reflects VAL's determined attempt in energy-saving green practices.

“VAL is committed for overall area development & Environment protection. The Lanjigarh Plant is the only Alumina Refinery in the country having Zero discharge system and aiming to become the First Alumina Refinery in the world by developing Zero Waste road Map. It has already started recovery of valuable Vanadium from waste which is helping in reducing import of vanadium sludge,” he further added.

After attaining of the ISO 50001 certification, VAL, Lanjigarh has adhered to a framework of stringent energy conservation and efficient natural resource usage policy which requires it to align its operations to four aspects affecting energy management such as; (a) Mitigation of Climate change, (b) World class Energy Performance, (c) Support BEE, Ministry of Power, Govt. of India and (d) Energy efficient procurement. Now its system has been certified as per ISO 50001:2011.

Apart from the recent certification, VAL Lanjigarh’s environmental concerns are reflective from the constitution of a core EMS team which is primarily responsible for drafting the System Based Energy Management. In fact, the company has also trained 25 of its employees on EnMS – 16001 and 14 other employees as lead auditors through a reputed external agency.

Dongria Kondhas attend Ratha Yatra at Lanjigarh

Hundreds of devotees poured in with religious fervor and enthusiasm to take part in the grand Rath Yatra (Car Festival) at Lanjigarh which was organized by Lanjigarh Yubak Sangh in association with Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL).
Amidst chanting of mantras and bhajans, the holy chariot of Lord Jagannath, Balram and Subhadra was taken out from the temple on Sunday evening to Mausima temple. Thousands of devotees including the Dongria Kondha people beheld the Pavitra Ratha Yatra which was also attended by Dr. Mukesh Kumar, President & COO – VAL. Dr. Mukesh Kumar participated in rolling out the holy Rath along with Dongria Kondha people like Jitu Jakasika and other employees of VAL.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mukesh Kumar said, “Vedanta Always support and nurture the local culture of the region. People of Lanjigarh and its periphery are like family members to us and we are always with the community to celebrate such festivals.”
Among others also present from VAL were, Mr. Venkat Reddy – Head, Power Plant, Suvendu Panda, Sandeep Sethi, Sweety Mukherjee, Niharika Sahoo, Bhagaban Hota, Sweta Upadhyaya, Binaya Pattnaik and Alka Minj.
Safe drinking water and first Aid facility was provided by VAL at the venue for the devotees. Lanjigarh Anchalika Vikash Parishad President–Sridhara Pesnia conveyed his thankfulness to Vedanta for extending support to organize sucha a grand festival. Many local leaders were present during the festival including, Himadri Pesnia, Sanatan Rout, Srimukha Agasti, Kamraj Dalbehera, Satya Narayan Naik, Subas Mohapatra, Krushna Moharana. Other members of Lanjigarh yuvak Sangh were present to organize the festival.
Apart from Lanjigarh, Vedanta celebrated Rath Yatra with the local community in many nearby areas like Ambodala, Muniguda, Bissumcuttack and Narla which was attended by many tribal people and Dongria Kondha people.

Hundreds of villagers attend Health Camp at Chandanpur of Kalahandi

Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Lanjigarh organized a free Health Camp at Chandanpur village in Lanjigarh block of Kalahandi district, Orissa on June 22, 2011 at which nearly 300 villagers were examined and were distributed with medicines free of cost. The health Camp catered mostly people of nearby villages like Jodabandha, Gopinathapur, Nutanbaterlima, Khamankhunti and Chandanpur.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Mukesh Kumar said, “Vedanta Aluminium is concerned and will always take care the health care of tribal people in the region. We regularly organize health camps at nearby villages to make a healthy society around Lanjigarh. Recently we organized camps at Chhatrapur, Basantpada etc.”

Present on the occasion from VAL were Dr. R C Rout – Head-CSR, Ms Niharika Sahoo, Sweety Mukherjee, Surya Panigrahi and Padmini Sahu of CSR department. CDPO Pragyan Rani Barik was also present along with many Local leaders of Chandanpur.

Dr. Sabita Swain, Chief Medical Officer of Vedanta Hospital, Dr. Malaya Tripathy, MO (I/c) Govt. Hospital, Biswanthapur, Dr. S. K. Mishra, MS (Ortho), Dr. A. K. Sahu, Vedanta Aluminium Limited were present at the Health Camp to treat the patient.

Health & MHU Team of VAL went to nearby villages of the venue as a part of pre-publicity step to inform the villagers about the camp and doctors availability during the Health Camp about a week back.

VAL organizes health camps at nearby villages around Lanjigarh regularly which is a part of its aim to make a healthy society.

Ministry of Environment: No Toxic Leakage From Vedanta Aluminium's Refinery

NEW DELHI -(Dow Jones)- The ministry of environment and forests late Tuesday said there is no evidence of toxic leakage from the alumina refinery of Vedanta PLC's (VED.LN) India unit.

The London-based miner's Indian unit, Vedanta Aluminium Ltd., operates a 1 million metric tons a year alumina refinery in the eastern town of Lanjigarh.

Concerns were raised by Amnesty International and allegations in a section of the press regarding a leakage from the red mud pond of the alumina refinery because of heavy rain fall which polluted nearby water bodies, causing a high acidic level, the ministry said in a statement.

But the ministry said an investigation of water bodies around the refinery didn't show any increase in levels of acidity nor was there any breach in the red mud pond, which holds toxic refinery waste.

The federal government had earlier rejected Vedanta's proposal to mine the Niyamgiri hills near Lanjigarh to supply bauxite for the refinery. It has also declined permission to expand the refinery's production capacity to 6 million tons a year.

Source: FOX BUSINESS

Lanjigarh Observes World Environment Day

Loud slogans to care environment and to plant trees were heard from hundreds of school children and local leaders of Lanjigarh periphery area who participated in a ‘Green March’ organized by Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Lanjigarh to mark the World Environment Day-2011. Dr. Mukesh Kumar, President & COO – VAL, Lanjigarh made the flag up of the march who also led the rally.

The ‘Green March’ started from the VAL Township and covered villages like Jagganathpur, Kendubardi and Niyamgiri Vendanta Nagar. They made the villagers aware about the importance of environment and planting trees.

Initiating to convert dry lands into green valley, Dr. Mukesh Kumar announced that the time from June 5 to July 5, 2011 will be marked as ‘Green Month’ where thousands of saplings will be planted. “Since four to five years we have been organizing World Environment Day, likewise this year also. This year we have a special plan of planting more than 35,000 trees in 50 acres of land at and around Lanjigarh area.”

Dr. Mukesh Kumar planted a lot of trees along with other employees of VAL like Rajesh Mohata, Head–Commercial; G Venkat Reddy, Head–Power Plant; Dr. R C Rout – Head CSR & Environment; Satya Sahu from Environment and also local leaders like Sridhara Pesnia–President Lanjigahr Anchalika Vikas Parishad, Chandra Pesnia, Senapati Naik, Lanjigarh Sarapanch Saraswati Munda and several school children.

These plantations were organized at the VAL alumina refinery area, Chhatrapur village and other nearby areas. Dr. Mukesh Kumar encouraged the employees and local people of the nearby villagers to save environment and to plant trees to make the area green and beautiful.

The locals of Lanjigarh area were contended looking at the initiative taken by VAL-Lanjigarh. “Vedanta’s decision to plant 35 thousand trees at Lanjigarh area is a noble initiative. Every year they observe World Environment Day and plant trees but the idea of ‘Green Month’ is very impressive which will definitely make Lanjigarh greener.”

Dilip Tirkey attends Annual Day of DAV Vedanta International School

Former Indian hockey captain Padma Shri Dilip Tirkey was the star attraction of the 4th Annual Day Celebration of the DAV Vedanta International School at Lanjigarh whereas scintillating cultural programmes of Dongria Kondha dance–‘Kui Karisma’ and Rajsthani folk dance made the audience spell bound on the cultural fest on Saturday.
Stalwart Dilip Tirky graced the grand occasion as the Chief Guest and Dr Mukesh Kumar, President & Chief Operating Officer–Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Lanjigarh presided over the function. The function commenced with the lighting of the lamp, followed by the welcome speech by Ms. Sukla Chakraborty, Principal-DAV school. Mr. Sanjay Pattnaik, Vice president-HR, Mr. TPK Patro, Head-Finance of VAL were also present on the occasion.
Dillip Tirkey, in his address in epitome, appreciated the atmosphere around the school and said inspiring words to the students for the future endeavors.
Dr Mukesh Kumar in his motivating speech said, “There will be no constraint of abundant facilities in the form of infrastructure and finance. We will ensure the students here get the latest infrastructure/technology available in the country. Looking at the huge response from nearby tribal areas we constructed a pre-primary block.”
The prizes for excellence in different scholastic and co-scholastic areas were also given away by the invited guests. During the function, the 3rd issue of school magazine, VARTIKA, was released.
The atmosphere was quite enthralling with a variety of entertaining cultural programmes like songs, skits and dances performed by students. The audiences of about 1000 people were captivated by Kui Karisma, Genesh Gatha, Rangeela Rajsthani, Cricket Dance etc. The children also played a short drama – ‘Haal Behaal’ condemning the sky-rocketing price rise of essential commodities and burgeoning scams.
The DAV Vedanta International School, Lanjigarh is the only English medium school in Lanjigarh region with more than 350 students. The school has benefited a number of tribal students in the periphery area along with children of employees of Vedanta Aluminium limited.

Mountaineer Jogabyasa eyes Mt. Everest without Oxyzen

He has started his dream expedition on April 15. He will create history if he accomplishes the task. He is Jogabyasa Bhoi – an inspiring mountaineer from Rupra, a small pocket in the interior of Kalahandi district of Orissa. Jogabyasa, who works as a primary school near his village, has aimed to scale Mt. Everest without help of oxygen this time.

Jogabyasa loved climbing mountins since his childhood. He has also been lauded by former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Recently the young Kalahandia lad conquered the highest peak in South Africa Mt. Khilimanjaro in January 2011.

For his expedition to climb Mt. Everest he needed financial assistance and it was Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL), Lanjigarh – situated near his place – came to him. Dr. Mukesh Kumar, President and COO, VAL, Lanjigarh handed over a cheque of Rupees two lakhs to the promising mountaineer Jogabyasa.

On the occasion, Kumar said that Jogabyasa is pride of Kalahandi and also of VAL. Vedanta family wishes him best of luck for his novel mission.

"On prior expeditions also we have helped Jogabyasa and this time it is our prime responsibility to help as he is going to climb Mt Everest. We hope he will successfully accomplish his expedition and come back safely," Kumar expressed.

In a mixed tone of joy and emotion, Jogabyasa said, "This is the most important task of my life. I am thankful to my god and also to my parents. I am also thankful to Vedanta for helping me. Vedanta has always been with me and also helped me for my previous expeditions."

Jogabyasa has many feats of mountaineering in his kitty. Recently he climbed Mt. Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in South Africa and Stock Kangri (6137m) in Ladakh. The temperament of this local lad from Kalahandi shows that he has bigger dreams to achieve.

Source: www.orissadiary.com

Health Camp at Lanjigarh elicits huge response

Lanjigarh: Hundreds of patients attended a day-long free Health Camp organized by Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL), Lanjigarh at Basantpada area of Lanjigarh Block in Kalahandi district of Orissa on the occasion of World Health Day 2011.

VAL conducted the camp with a vision to make a healthy society while the main objective of the camp was to cater to the community at large. Patients who attended the health camp were provided medicines free of cost.

Dr. Mukesh Kumar, President & COO, VAL, inaugurated the health camp and said, “To make a healthy society around Lanjigarh is VAL’s prime objective; that is why we organize Health camps regularly. Vedanta Hospital also commits to the same purpose and this health camp specially aims to cater to the poor families in the nearby areas.”

Along with Dr. A. K. Sahu of Vedanta Hospital other specialized doctors were present on the occasion to treat the patients. Doctors present on the camp were Dr. Narsingha Charana Das – TB & Chest Specialist, Berhampur, Dr. Manoranjan Rout – Pediatric, Muniguda, Dr. N. Patro – Dentist, Rayagada, Dr. Nagendra Rai Samant – MO, Lanjigarh, Dr. Malaya Tripathy –MO I/C, Biswanathapur, Dr. S. K. Mishra – Orthopedic.

People from villages like Basant Pada, Bandhaguda, Dengsargi, Kapaguda, Belamba, Sindhbahal, Kansari, Rengopali, Kendubati, Jagannathpur, Bundel etc. attended the health camp.

Through medical outreach program Vedanta Aluminium has been providing health services to people in remote tribal areas who are deprived of healthcare service. Through mobile medical units and outreach camps the company is reaching the unreached and providing health services at door step of tribal people, informed Dr. Sabita Tripathy, Chief Medical Officer of Vedanta hospital.

Vedanta Bal Chetna Project expanded in Rayagada

Looking at the importance of education and in an attempt to improve the nutritional status of the children, Vedanta Bal Chetna Anganwadi project will now cover 29000 more children in Rayagada district alone. This became possible after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Mr. Nitin Bhanudas Jawale, Collector – Rayagada, Mr.Balakrushna Rath, State Project Head – Vedanta Foundation and Dr. Mukesh Kumar, President & Chief Operating Officer – Vedanta Aluminium Ltd., Lanjigarh.
The MoU–signed on 17th March 2011–will support, in its second phase, an additional 29000 children of 478 Anganwadi Centres under Public-Private-Partnership Project. Till now, Vedanta foundation has been providing support to 1014 Anganwadi centres in Kalahandi & Rayagada Districts covering about 47,000 children. Now the number of children will increase up to 76000 in 1492 Anganwadi centres.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mukesh, President and COO, Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Lanjigarh, said, “This project will help the deprived children of Rayagada get access to basic education and health care facility. Children are the future of this place and giving them basic education and food is Vedanta’s aim.”
The prime object of behind the project is to make all pre-school Anganwadi Children socially and psychologically productive and ensure 100 percent enrollment in formal schools.
According to the MoU, the additional project will cover Anganwadi centres in Muniguda, Bissam Cuttack, Kolonara, K.Singpur, Rayagada, Rayagada Muncipalty and Ramanaguda block. All these centres cover about 29,000 children. Less privileged children love to come to the Anganwadi Centers as they get quality education in a playful method along with nutritious food.
Ms. Sanghamitra Kanungo, DSWO, Mr. Manoj Kumar Gouda, Chief Co-ordinator, Vedanta Foundation were also present during signing of the MoU.
Vedanta Foundation has tied up with Government-run Anganwadi centers to give a proper pre-schooling education along with nutritional additives in the government supplied food to the children. The project mainly focuses on overall development of children like Cognitive development, sensory development, Language development, Physical development and social development with special emphasis on Education, Neutrition and Health Care.

UPA Govt tweaks rules to clear Jindal project

Courtsey: DNA

Sreejiraj Eluvangal | Place: New Delhi


The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) seems all set to add to the scams and scandals surrounding the UPA government at the Centre thanks to a controversial clearance given to Congress MP Navin Jindal’s proposed steel and power plant in Orissa.
Documents with DNA show that the MoEF issued a circular to change a few words of the guidelines of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 only to allow the withdrawal of a showcause notice issued to the Jindal project.
This notice, that made headlines when it was issued in November 2010, asked why the earlier issued environmental clearance may not be quashed because Jindal had started construction at the site before the forest clearance — the supplement to the mandatory environment clearance — was given.
Documents show that the provision of the Forest Act that was quoted by the MoEF to legitimise the transgressions of Jindal and withdraw the show cause notice was created only on January 6, 2011 — two months after the showcause notice was issued.
Documents also show that the provision (made through a circular) was scrapped on 17 February, 2011 — exactly a week after the notice to Jindal was withdrawn.
This makes it clear that the circular was issued purely for the benefit of Congress MP Navin Jindal’s project alone.
Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL) had filed for environmental clearance for a 6 million tonne steel plant and a medium-sized integrated power plant in Kerjang, in Anjul district of Orissa in 2006.
The firm got environmental clearance in 2007, with the condition that no development should start till the other half of that clearance, a ‘forest clearance’, was also granted.
But Jindal started construction before the forest clearance was obtained and this was pointed out by Biswajit Mohanty, wildlife activist and member of the National Board for Wildlife, to Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh last October.
A month later, the MoEF issued the showcause notice to Jindal.
However, on January 6, 2011, the MoEF issued a circular that changed certain words in the Forest Act that legalised the violations and weakened the case against Jindal.
Documents with DNA show that the original guidelines of the Forest Act, which were in force when the showcause notice was issued to Jindal for breaching the conditions of environmental clearance, said: “work should not be started” till the project gets the requisite forest clearance.
However, in its circular, the MoEF changed this phrase to: “it is advisable that work should not be started” till forest clearance is granted.
After the circular was issued, Jindal officials pointed out to the MoEF that its own circular indicated that the provision was not binding on them. Based on this argument, the MoEF withdrew the showcause notice to the Jindal project on Feb 10, 2011. Seven days later, the circular was scrapped.
To a question in Parliament as to how many projects were cleared during the time the circular was in existence (a little over a month), Ramesh pointed out that only one project had been cleared: Jindal’s Angul project.
“This is all very, very fishy,” says Mohanty, a noted conservationist known for his contribution to saving Orissa’s sea turtles. “This case needs to be probed. You can’t bring in a circular to help just one company and then withdraw it and not let any other company take advantage of it,” he says.
Mohanty, who maintains Ramesh is the best environment minister India has ever had, says the ministry’s actions are starting to smack of arbitrariness. “You can’t have one yardstick for Vedanta (Resources) and another where a ruling party MP is involved.”
This whole incident indicates that Ramesh, who has a clean reputation otherwise, has his limitations when faced with powerful groups within his party.
Jairam Ramesh did not respond to request for comments on the matter.

Three year old Rekha can see the world again

It was a touchy sight of an emotional father Sudan Patel, 36, who saw her three year old daughter recovered fully after a dog bite her left eye which had caused severe damage. And why not, his daughter Rekha was on the verge of losing her one eye before she could behold the beautiful world around her.

The situation cropped up when a dog bite Rekha's left eye causing severe injury. However, everything went smoothly after medical team of Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Lanjigarh spotted the girl immediately, assured the family of bearing the medical cost, and sent Rekha to L V Prasad Eye InstitutePatia, Bhubaneswar. Later on it was discovered that the operation will be conducted at a subsidised price as the uncle of the patient is a BPL cardholder.

Expressing his gratitude Sudan Patel, father of Rekha said, “I have lost hope to cure my daughter. My daughter would have lost her left eye. I am thankful to my God and also to Vedanta for helping my daughter, so that I could take her to LV Prasad Eye Institute . My daughter is recovering gradually. Doctors said that she will not only get back her sight, she will be completely cured with the help of plastic surgery.”

Rekha belongs to a very poor family; her father Sudan Patel has a small shop of vegetable near the VAL’s alumina refinery plant gate.

MoUs create 39,000 jobs in Orissa

Vedanta Aluminium Ltd has been the biggest job creator in aluminium sector

Companies that have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Orissa government have created employment for 39104 people in the state by the end of December 2010.
In all, the state has inked MoUs with 88 companies across sectors like steel, power, aluminium, cement and downstream industries.
Topping the list of employment is the steel sector which has generated 31164 jobs which includes employment for 22399 people from the state and 8765 people from outside the state.
Next to steel is the aluminium sector which has engaged a total of 5474 people including 3657 from the state and the remaining 1817 outside the state. Investment worth Rs 11017 crore has been grounded in this sector.
In the aluminium sector, Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (VAL) has been the biggest job creator, generating over 5000 jobs through its one million tonne per annum (mtpa) refinery project and 75 MW captive power plant (CPP) at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district and aluminium smelter complex at Burkhamunda near Jharsuguda with a smelter capacity of 0.25 mtpa and a 675 MW CPP.
At its refinery plant, VAL has employed 2523 people from Orissa and 1091 persons from outside the state. Similarly, 1026 people have been engaged from the state for VAL's smelter plant while 686 others have been hired outside the state. VAL's total investment on the refinery plant and smelter complex stands at Rs 9084 crore.
Aditya Aluminium Ltd has invested Rs 1875 crore on its one mtpa alumina refinery at Rayagada and a 0.26 mtpa smelter plant cum 650 MW CPP at Sambalpur. The company has created jobs for 63 people from the state and 34 others outside the state.
In the cement sector, the total employment generated stands at 1502 by the end of December last year. OCL Cement Ltd has generated employment for 1494 people and the company has invested Rs 697.46 crore out of a total project cost of Rs 850 crore for its 1.10 mtpa cement manufacturing unit at Rajgangpur.
The other two investors in the cement sector- Ultratech Cement Ltd and ACC Cement Ltd have made negligible progress on their projects in the state. Ultratech Cement Ltd which had signed an MoU with the state government on November 10, 2006 for setting up a 3.5 mtpa cement plant and 50 MW CPP in Sundergarh district has not made any physical progress in view of non-availability of limestone.
The company has applied for extension of the MoU period.
Similarly, ACC Cement which had proposed to set up a 0.5 mtpa cement unit and a 75 MW CPP in Sundergarh district at a cost of Rs 132 crore and had signed MoU with the state government on November 10, 2006, has also been unable to make physical progress due to non-availability of limestone. It has also applied for extension of the MoU period.
In the power sector, the Independent Power Plants (IPPs) have generated employment for 964 people.
While Sterlite Energy Ltd has commissioned the first unit (600 MW) of its 2400 MW IPP, four other IPPs- GMR Kamalanga Energy Ltd, Monnet Power Company Ltd, Jindal India Thermal Power Ltd and Ind-Barath Energy (Utkal) Ltd have started construction.

Courtsey: Business-standard

Vedanta Foundation touches 50000 children in Orissa's Kalahandi, Rayagada districts

Economic prosperity is a valuable target whereas the most viable instrument to achieve it is good education. While the major task to achieve this feat is education for the poor. Furthermore, in a nation where every 3rd malnourished child in the world lives, it is an arduous task to render education for all, where every child is special for the nation-building.
However, in the region which was known for child-sale, malnutrition and poverty, giving good education and nutritious food to the children can make a lot of change. Such are Kalahandi and Rayagada district of Orissa.
Looking at the importance of education in these regions and in an attempt to improve the nutritional status of severely malnourished Anganwadi children in the age group 0-6, till now, Vedanta group has reached out to 47,000 children in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts. Under ‘Vedanta Bal Chetna Anganwadi Project of Vedanta group, 11 blocks have been covered, where thousands of children of 1010 Anganwadi centers get quality education and nutritious food.
Vedanta group has tied hands with Anganwadi Centers in fortifying the supplementary foods under ICDS scheme. Thus, with this scheme, children get added nutrition and extra food which deviates them from the monotonous menu of the government schemes. The prime objective behind this project is to make all pre-school Anganwadi children socially and psychologically productive and ensure 100% enrollment in formal school.
It is Joyful and playful method of teaching what makes the difference in Bal Chetna Project. Puspa Majhi of Balabhadrapur says, “My son feels glad to attain the Anganwadi School. Teachers there take special care to the children and teach in a playful method which holds the attention of the kids.”
“We also feel happy to send our children to the Bal Chetna Anganwadi centers where nutritious food is provided” adds Puspa.
Education is the only medium which can take a long way to Kalahandi and Rayagada districts, the poorest regions of India. In these regions - more than making the people understand the value of education, encouraging the poor children to come to school is more significant. So, in this regard, Bal Chetna Project has kicked off a revolutionary step.

Courtesy: Orissadiary.com

LPADF donates additional classrooms to Niyamgiri High School

As per Honourable Supreme Court’s Order, Sterlite Industries will deposit 5% of the profit or Rs. 10 Crore - whichever is higher - for local area development around Lanjigarh. For this a special purpose vehicle Lanjigarh Project Area Development Foundation (LPADF) was formed.

Under this project, recently, a foundation stone was laid to construct two additional class rooms of Niyamgiri High School at Chatikana near Bisamcuttack of Rayagada district Mr. Mrityunjay Lenka, GM – Geology, Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Lanjigarh laid the foundation stone for the construction of the buildings.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mukesh Kumar–President and COO, Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Lanjigarh–said, “Niyamgiri High School at Chatikana is situated in one of the poorest regions of Orissa, so developing the infrastructure of the school of this place is our prime responsibility. Through LPADF many such activities have been carried out and a lot in the store in future for the people of this area.”

Mr. P Trinath Rao, Head Master, Niyamgiri High School expressed happiness and said he is thankful to Vedanta for laying the foundation stone to construct the additional class rooms through LPADF. He also said that the additional class rooms were very much necessary for they were facing difficulties in managing with few class rooms.

Till now, 24 projects have been approved for Rayagada district under LPADF which construction of two additional classrooms at Niyamgiri High School, Chatikona is one of the projects to be executed by VAL.

LPADF is a special purpose vehicle formed, as per Supreme Court’s Order by Government of Orissa, Sterlite Industries India Limited (SIIL) and Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC). The LPADF would dedicatedly take up development project in 50 km radius around Vedanta Alumina Refinery Project at Lanjigarh. Sterlite Industries will deposit 5% of the profit or Rs. 10 Crore - whichever is higher - for the project for local area development with this special purpose vehicle.

Uncertainty over Vedanta hits livelihood

BHAWANIPATNA: Uncertainty over Vedanta's Lanjigarh project has thrown a spanner into the earnings of small-time traders. Upset they have threatened to commit suicide.

These include representatives of the contractors' association, labourer's association, truck owners association and association of Small Enterprenuers of Lanjigarh, Biswanathpur, Ambodala and Muniguda area.

These businessman had taken loans to buy vehicles, build market complexes and houses, which would have found takers once the project came up. But with the ministry of environment and forests scrapping bauxite mining and stopping the expansion of Vedanta, there is no such hope now. The plant is also reluctant to engage them.

"We have been facing uncertainties since December 31, 2010 after the senior management of VAL informed that Vedanta was going through a tough time with refinery incurring heavy losses of Rs 500 to 600 crores," member of the Contractor's Association Binod Gaud said.

VAL authorities claimed that following environment ministry's order, the corporate-backed development work in Lanjigarh has been hit. "The fate of many development projects aimed at the welfare of the local people have been stalled following the decisions," a spokesman of VAL said.

Already around 10,000 labourers have lost their jobs followed by violent protest inside the administrative building of VAL.

The traders have also met the Kalahandi collector in this regard. "We met the Kalahandi collector and handed over a memorandum mentioning our plight, particularly the threat to our livelihood," said Mahesh Agrawal, one of the traders.

Vedanta assures quality science Education at Orissa through Science College.

Lanjigarh (Orissa), Jan 30 (PTI) Even as its proposed Rs 15,000 crore university project hit roadblocks, Vedanta group today said they will set up a state-of-the-art science college near its alumina refinery here."The establishment of a science college was a long pending demand of the people of western Orissa as no such institution exists near Lanjigarh," Mukesh Kumar, president and chief operating officer of Vedanta Aluminium (VAL) said here.Being set up by Vedanta in collaboration with DAV educational group, Vedanta Science College (VSC) would start classes from 2011-12 academic year, he said."The aim is to spread science education in interior parts and improve the quality of life of the poorest of the poor besides developing technical manpower for state's industrialisation," Kumar said adding Vedanta has already been running a school here since 2006 in partnership with DAV.The proposed college would be a boon to locals, mainly tribals."Besides getting employment, science education would help us to enhance quality of life in today's science-oriented society," said Prof Arun Kumar Pujari, Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University.

Courtsey: PTI

Sabita Fly Ash pulls crowd at Kalahandi Utsav

The Sabita Fly Ash Industry is the first environment-friendly brick-manufacturing unit here producing nearly 10,000 bricks per day. The fly ash, red mud and lime grits, the wastes generated from the Lanjigarh Vedanta Alumina Refinery, are the main raw materials to manufacture the bricks.

Notably, Sabita Fly Ash was the main attraction at the Kalahandi Utsav Ghumura. The firm utilises technology jointly developed by the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar (CSIR Laboratory) along with the Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL).

Thousands of people visited the stall at the Lok Mahotsav and were impressed with the technology and raw materials the industry uses to prepare the bricks.

Answering to a query, Sabita Fly Ash representative Ashok Mishra informed that they take the red mud and fly ash free of cost from VAL to make bricks. The bricks are stronger than the traditional ones and have good value in the market. Mishra further informed that the people of Kesinga, Dharmagarh, Junagarh and Rampur buy their bricks.

Besides being much stronger, the bricks are compact and uniform in shape and colour and meet the Bureau of Indian Standards of IS 12894:2002 (Class 7.5) specifications, Mishra claimed. The industry reportedly does not need much skilled manpower and is an ideal project for an area like Kalahandi district, having a low literacy rate and high unskilled manpower.

Courtesy: The Pioneer

Businessmen community at Lanjigarh threaten to suicide

Hundreds of representatives of Contractors Association, Labours Association, Association of Truck Owners, Association of Small Enterprenuers of Lanjigarh, Biswanathpur, Ambodala and Muniguda area threatened to suiside if Vedanta Aluminium Limited closes its alumina refinery at Lanjigarh which provides livelihood to their families. They came to this conclusion after senior management of the plant informed them about the current situation of the alumina refinery at Lanjigarh.
“We have come to a difficult situation as on December 31, 2010, senior management of VAL informed that Vedanta is going through a rough time as the refinery is incurring heavy loss of Rs. 500-600 crores, so it will be difficlt to run the refinery,” said Binod Gaud, member of the Contractor’s Association.
The association demanded immediate clearance of the Niyamgiri Mining project for the survival o t refinery at Lanjigarh.
After this the association members had met the district administration of Kalahandi to inform them about their situation. “We had met the district collector of Kalahandi and handed over a memorandum saying if the company closes down the refinery our families will come to roads. So please give us alternate ways to earn our livelihood,” said Mahesh Agrawal, another member.
They said that it is not possible to find a single person at Lanjigarh area who is not employed directly or indirectly because of Vedanta. More than 10,000 people depend indirectly to VAL.
According to the members, they have invested lakhs of rupees for the company. They have taken loans in building infrastructure like buying vehicles, developing market complex, building houses etc. Apart from this, thousands of people depend indirectly to the alumina refinery for their livelihood. However, if the alumina refinery at Lanjigarh is closed, they will fight to exist.

Letter to MoEF: Provide justice by establishing an IIFM in Kalahandi, Odisha

To
Sri Jairam Ramesh, Honorable Minister of Envrionment and Forest

CC
Dr Manmohan Singh, Honorable Prime Minister of India
Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Honorable UPA Chariperson
Sri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha
Sri Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary, Indian National Congress Party
Secretaty, Ministry of Envrionment and Forest

Dear Honourable Sri Jairam Ramesh,
Vedanta could have been a great hope for Kalahandi’s industrialization process as the company was planning a world class refinery (one of the largest in Asia) and manufacturing unit in Lanjigarh. There is no other industry in whole Kalahandi constituency. Though there are local intellectuals who still advocate industrialization of Kalahandi through Vedanta, due to small number of affected people (a fraction compared to the people who would have been benefited from industrialization) the project was put in uncertainty by Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF).
The decision by MoEF is largely seen as political in the local and state level, as the involved group directly comes from political parties: opposing group in the local level comes from congress party and supporting group in the local level comes from BJD.
Recently it is also being alleged by various neutral intellectual groups that MoEF has acted harshly on Vedanta in Kalahandi compared to other projects such as Navi Mumbai airport, Pollavoram, POSCO, etc.
Though MoEF’s decision has made activists, environmentalists, NGOs and few political groups unexpectedly happy, it has made nation builders, Kalahandi lovers and economists worried. In this political battle who really took the back seat was the development of Kalahandi, one of the most backward pockets in the nation.
Lanjigarh was one of the locations in the district that made Kalahandi name infamous across the globe for starvation death and child selling. People were dying eating mago kernel in Lanjigarh region in late 1990s which is still available in archives of many national news papers. So far central Govt. approved major projects in Kalahandi are: Upper Indravati Project (approved during Marajee Desai Govt.), Lanjigarh road – Junagarh railway line (approved during Chandrasekhar Govt.), National Highways (NH201 & NH217 approved during Vajpayee Govt.), etc, all of them were sanctioned during Non-congress Government in the center. Tracking this record and statistics of last 63 years in post independence period, when congress party has ruled the nation not a single major establishment was ever approved in Kalahandi constituency yet, thus, people who wants to make this region as par with other parts of the nation are totally confused on what does the central Govt. presently store for Kalahandi? Is it under development and spreading of naxallism that Kalahandi has witnessed in past decades? Perhaps, MoEF is not concerend about this as it does not come under its ministry, but it is a concern for Kalahandi and its people in general.

Why do people in Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad (your home city), etc would enjoy industrialisation, thus development, and poeple in Kalahandi bear the cost for environment and would be forced to migrate in long run like me?

Why can't be a regulation that envrionment and industries are balanced in all constituencies of India without making no industry zone like Kalahandi always at the receiving end?

MoEF has not yet come with a concrete plan from Niyamgiri and has NOT done any positive contribution towards Kalahandi even for the development of forest and environment. Beside that substantial portion (above 30%) of the land area of Kalahandi comes under forest area and Odisha has the highest percentage of forest area among various states and union territories in India except North eastern block of states and Chhattisgarh. Odisha is next to Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in terms of total area of forest land and has the maximum forest land by both percentage as well as area wise among all the states in eastern part of the country, such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.

As you are aware forest may help to give a better environment to live and facilitate as a living source for large part of tribal population. But, in place like Kalahandi more forest and environment are destroyed by ignorant people than by industries due to lack of useful knowledge and management skill towards environment and natural resources and allied sectors.
Institutions as par with Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) Bhopal may be helpful in this regards to prepare outstanding and talented young person for careers leading to management responsibility in forestry and the forest-related system and meet the need of Indian forestry and forest-related industry and commerce in respect of upto-date information on forestry management through research and consultancy.
Establishment of IIFM in Bhopal was based on forest area in undivided Madhya Pradesh that includes present Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and this institution is doing remarkably well in the national level. Union ministry of environment and forest must establish four such new institutions in those states having large forest area such as one in Kalahandi in Odisha for eastern part, and others in Andhra Pradesh for Southern part, in Uttarakhand for Northern part and in Arunachal Pradesh for North Eastern part of the country.

Since MoEF has acted harshly against development of Kalahandi, an IIFM should be established in Kalahandi in first priorty basis as soon as possible.
Thanking you and best regards
Digambara Patra
--
Dr. Digambara Patra
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
American University of Beirut
P.O. Box: 11-0236, Riad El Solh
Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
Email: digpatra@gmail.com
http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~dp03/

Courtesy: orissadiary.com

DOSA bats for Vedanta project, inclusive growth in State

Concerned over the "deplorable politics" and the ongoing controversy over the Vedanta bauxite mining in the Niyamagiri hills, a 12-member fact finding team of the Delhi Odia Students' Association (DOSA) had a two-day visit to the Lanjigarh block in Kalahandi district and viewed that the corporates, politicians and NGOs are fighting with each other instead of focusing on the development of the State.

Addressing a Press conference here on Friday, DOSA president Tejeswar Parida said that the poor tribals of the region are the victims of the continuing nasty politics, unholy nexus between the groups with vested

interests and the double standard approach while it requires qualitative improvements in the socio-economic fronts.

Parida alleged that the local administration was far from the required responsiveness and developmental interventions for ensuring better living standards while the Vedanta Aluminum Limited (VAL), claimed to have spent about `100 crore under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), need to come under the scanner of a social audit.

Parida observed that there can be harmony between the industrial development and environmental protection and also observed that the Centre should refrain from its political motive while according the environmental clearance to the Vedanta group. "If Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh could give clearances to the lavoram project and Navi Mumbai airport, why not in Odisha's case," Parida questioned.

To prevent the migration of unemployed youth and trafficking of tribal women to the different parts of country, DOSA advocated for employment generating heavy industries which only Vedanta can solve.

"The functioning of schools, health centre, vocational training, construction of small bridges, check dams for irrigation purpose and formation of women self help groups by Vedanta deserves appreciation," said Parida.

Parida alleged that some of the NGOs and political leaders were creating wrong impression and taking advantage of the ignorance of the tribals.

He further alleged that those vested interests have been exploiting the situation for grabbing huge funds in the name of development while certain NGOs are playing with the sentiments of the tribals by making immotive appeals on the basis of religion, faith and nature. Among others, Manas Mallick, Rajanikanta Das, Sibananda Mishra and Biswaranja Parida were present.

Courtesy: The Pioneer

'Quality Education is must for growth'

The awareness about need of education for growth and in fighting poverty, eradicating deceases like Malaria, Sickle Cell Anemia etc is continuously on the rise in tribal belts of Kalahandi and Rayagada district. People are looking for development to live a better life which is getting reflected with the considerable improvement in attendance and reduction in drop out cases in almost all the schools.
Showing commitment for development in Kalahandi and Rayagada region, Dr. Mukesh Kumar, President and COO, Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Lanjigarh – while inaugurating the new school building of Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir at Ambodala, Rayagada – reiterated that Vedanta is concerned about improving standard of education and health care for the overall development of the region. He further stressed that, now under right to education also it is very much essential that every child must go to the school.
“Unless every child goes to school, Vedanta’s aim of improving educational standard is not fulfilled. To ensure every child get at least pre-school education and to give the children nutritious food Vedanta is supporting nearly 1000 Aganwadi Centres in association with GOO besides running nearly 45 Child Care Centres which aims for 100% enrollment in the Primary School,” said Dr. Mukesh Kumar in the sidelines of the inaugural function of the Additional Classrooms of Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir at Ambodala on January 2, 2011.
VAL constructed the classroom under its Corporate Social responsibility of the project ‘Shiksha’ which aims to ensure that each child enjoys his/her right. He also promised to bring the school under Computer Literacy Programme of VAL.
Further showing importance of the need of higher education in the area, he said, “Students of this area now can study science at degree level as Vedanta has opened a Degree level Science College at Lanjigarh which will begin its academic session from 2011 and will enroll students from Lanjigarh, Biswanathpur, Ambodala, Munigura where students give up studies after 10th or +2 due to the unavailability of any good college.”
Education being an important tool in building future, Vedanta has been trying to improve the education sector in Kalahandi and Rayagada district. A Degree Science College, +2 Science College and a DAV Vedanta International School at Lanjigarh are few of the initiatives Vedanta has taken to enhance the educational standard of the region.