Opening Odisha’s bauxite mines vital for Viksit Bharat: MLA Dishari pledges fight for local empowerment

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, SEPTEMBER 7, 2025

In a powerful call linking grassroots empowerment to the national vision of Viksit Bharat, Lanjigarh MLA Pradip Kumar Dishari has assured the people of Kalahandi that he will urge the Chief Minister of Odisha to expedite the opening of the state’s untapped bauxite mines. His assurance followed a massive protest by nearly 5,000 villagers, youth, and community leaders demanding an end to bauxite imports and the use of domestic reserves to fuel India’s aluminium industry.

Addressing the gathering, Dishari stressed that the path to a developed India runs through mineral-rich districts like Kalahandi. “Odisha is home to some of the world’s richest bauxite reserves, yet India continues to rely heavily on imports. This undermines both our people and our immense potential. The struggle we are leading today is about securing the future of our youth,” he said.

Highlighting the social impact, the MLA warned that the survival of over three lakh people in Kalahandi was at stake. With limited opportunities, thousands of young men and women migrate every year in search of work. “By opening the mines, we can create opportunities here itself — allowing our people to live, work, and prosper in their own land,” he added.

Dishari also cited the 2008 Supreme Court judgment under Justice S.H. Kapadia, which laid down strict ecological safeguards for responsible mining. The judgment mandates that at least 5% of profits flow directly into community development, with provisions for afforestation, ecological restoration, groundwater protection, and a Tribal Development Plan. “This framework ensures that mining becomes a tool of empowerment, not exploitation — bringing schools, hospitals, roads, jobs, and dignity to our people while protecting the environment,” he said.

Currently, despite having over 5 billion tonnes of reserves, India imports more than 4.5 million tonnes of bauxite annually at a staggering cost of INR 4,000–5,000 crore. Calling this practice both economically unsustainable and a grave injustice to mineral-rich districts, Dishari underlined that opening Odisha’s mines is not just an economic imperative but also a social necessity.

The MLA concluded with a firm assurance that he would stand with the people of Kalahandi until their demand is fulfilled, pledging to personally take their concerns to the state government.