Kalahandi leaders urge immediate gram sabha to enable bauxite mining

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHAWANIPATNA, MAY 19, 2025

In a unified appeal aimed at revitalizing the socio-economic landscape of Odisha’s Kalahandi and Rayagada districts, local leaders under the banner of the Lanjigarh Anchalika Vikas Parishad have submitted a formal memorandum to regional MLAs, advocating for the immediate commencement of the Gram Sabha process to facilitate bauxite mining in Lanjigarh.

The delegation, comprising around 35 leaders from both districts, emphasized the need to unlock the region’s significant mineral potential in a responsible and inclusive manner. They argued that initiating mining operations, with full participation of local communities, would spur employment, attract vital investments, and drive sustainable development in one of the most underdeveloped parts of the state.

The memorandum was presented to Bhawanipatna MLA Sagar Charan Das, Dharamgarh MLA Sudhir Ranjan Pattjoshi, and Lanjigarh MLA Pradeep Kumar Dishari.

The delegation was led by Sridhara Pesnia, President of the Lanjigarh Anchalika Vikas Parishad. Other prominent participants included Kamala Patra, Chairperson of Lanjigarh Block; Sanjib Kumar Nayak, Vice Chairman of Lanjigarh Block; Nirmal Samal, Secretary of the Parishad; senior representatives Chandra Pesnia and Suresh Agarwal; Zila Parishad member Parakhita Naik; local leader Dhan Majhi; and Treasurer Maheswara Pati. The delegation was also supported by community members such as Hari Majhi, Patra Majhi, Dasharath Majhi, Susant Majhi, Raghunath Pani, Satrughana Challan, and Rabi Dandasena.

Speaking on the issue, Lanjigarh MLA Pradeep Kumar Dishari affirmed his commitment to the people of the region. “Being the MLA of Lanjigarh, my primary responsibility is to serve its residents. We support industrialization, as it works at the grassroots level for the upliftment of the community. We will take this issue up with the Odisha government to ensure a steady supply of bauxite to the Vedanta plant at Lanjigarh, enabling smooth and continuous operations. We are committed to raising this issue at all levels to promote comprehensive development in Lanjigarh and neighboring areas,” he said.

Echoing this sentiment, Dharamgarh MLA Sudhir Ranjan Pattjoshi stated, “This is a matter of policy, and I believe the Odisha government will take the necessary steps. We plan to meet with the Hon’ble Minister of Mines and the Hon’ble Chief Minister to bring this issue to their attention. As the Hon’ble Prime Minister has stated, we are progressing toward a ‘Viksit Bharat,’ and industries play a pivotal role in achieving both ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Viksit Odisha.’”

Bhawanipatna MLA Sagar Charan Das received the petition from the delegation and reaffirmed his support. “We will stand by the decisions of our people and support them fully,” he said.

The leaders recalled the establishment of the alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in 2003 as a milestone in the region’s development. The refinery, they noted, has been an economic cornerstone for thousands of families, particularly among the Dongria and Kutia Kondh tribal communities. Its presence has spurred infrastructure growth and fostered broader economic inclusion.

In a letter addressed to MLA Pradeep Kumar Dishari, Sridhara Pesnia emphasized the importance of expanding the facility through community-backed bauxite mining. “The alumina refinery at Lanjigarh stands as the backbone of our local economy. Expanding this facility through responsible bauxite mining and with the active involvement of Gram Sabhas will not only improve livelihoods but also catalyze sustainable growth across Odisha,” he wrote.

The delegation urged the state government to act swiftly and transparently in initiating the Gram Sabha process, ensuring that mining operations adhere to the highest environmental and social standards while safeguarding the rights of tribal communities. They highlighted the alignment of this initiative with the state’s ‘Make in Odisha’ vision, which seeks to empower underserved regions through inclusive, investment-led growth.

Emphasizing the importance of fair compensation and transparent procedures, the leaders stressed the need to ensure that the benefits of mining are equitably distributed. They expressed optimism that Lanjigarh could serve as a model for community-driven, mineral-based development and set a national benchmark.

The Lanjigarh Anchalika Vikas Parishad concluded by reaffirming its commitment to ongoing collaboration with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and civil society to transform Odisha’s mineral wealth into long-term socio-economic progress for the region.