Jajpur: The state-owned Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) is allegedly trying to garner support for expansion of its Sukurangi chromite mines by hiring people to attend public hearing camps for environmental clearance, a report said Sunday.
It is alleged that some influential officials of the mining company in connivance with administrative officials and OSPCB officials are working overtime for the purpose. They are hiring people to attend the public hearings for expansion of the mines.
This move has sparked resentment among the locals, who alleged over 9, 500 trees will be felled for expansion of the mines which will result in loss of the environment and livelihood for tribals who dependent on forests.
A total of 9, 499 trees are to be felled for expansion of the mines which has found a place in the environmental impact assessment report prepared by the mining company.
Moreover, the villagers are sore over the fact that the company is overlooking the employment of the locals in the mines.
OMC officials apprehending that they may not earn the support of the locals scrapped a public hearing camp scheduled for August 24 and rescheduled it to November 9. The OSPCB has decided to hold the rescheduled public hearing camp at Patharbani mining conference hall November 9.
The state government gave its approval to OMC for mining July 20, 1970 while the state mines and geology department gave a 20 year lease for mining over 382.709 hectare of land August 5, 1978. Later, the lease term was extended till March 31, 2020 under the revised rules of mines and minerals.
The Union environment ministry has granted permission for use of 104.79 hectares of forest land out of 267.21 hectares of land for non-forest use. The OMC has now received the first phase approval for use of the rest of the 162.42 hectare of land in non-forest purpose.
The mining company has conducted public hearings for environmental clearance June 20, 21 and 22. While the villagers of Panasia and Ragada opposed the move, the residents of Garamian extended partial support to OMC. Sensing the resentment, the mining firm is trying to hire people from other villages to attend the public hearing camps and support its move for expansion.
Attempts to contact regional mines manger Bijay Kumar Behera and mines manager Abani Pradhan of OMC were unsuccessful.
PNN
