Jajpur/Kaliapani: The expansion of the Sukurangi Chromite Mines by the Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) received partial support with the residents of Panasia and Ragada opposing the bid and the villagers of Garamian extending their support at the pallisabha, a report said Thursday.
The affected villagers alleged that the mining firm is planning to make the public hearing a success by hiring people from other villages and taking their signatures in advance before receiving their consent.
Villagers Mohan Hembram and Sukura Soren alleged that several people from Panasia and Ragadasahi failed to make it to the pallisabha due to the long distance from Garamian village. They also alleged that all government norms have been violated and demanded a probe.
The state mining firm plans to increase the annual production of Sukurangi Chromite mines and South Kaliapani Mines in Sukinda tehsil from 1.3 lakh tonne to 3 lakh tonne and is planning to convert 168.948 hectares of forest land to non-forest land.
The matter came out during a joint pallisabha of the three villages at Thakuranisala in Garamian village in the Kankadapala panchayat of Sukinda block.
Kankadapala sarpanch Sabita Mohanta presided at the pallisabha and block nodal officer Santosh Kumar Pati read out its objectives.
Tension arose after some participants alleged that the Pallisabha lacks representation from Garamian village with the mining firm hiring people to make it a success. They relented after the block nodal officer intervened. The three villages has 1,200 residents, but only 36 were present at the pallisabha.
Panasia villagers voiced their opposition from the start as 95 families in their village were affected by the mines. They claimed they will support the OMC expansion plan only if their demand for permanent employment in the mines, drinking water facilities, establishment of a school, provision of support for higher education and healthcare facilities are fulfilled. Similar demands were made by Ragadasahi residents too.
OMC’s regional manager Bijay Kumar Behera promised to meet their demands but sparked a row when he announced plans to construct the community centre at Kankadapala village and a club house in Bhalukipatala village.
Samiti member Rashmirekha Jena, Zilla Parishad member Pratap Patra, Kankadapala RI Mahant Dehuri, forester Susant Nayak and Kaliapani IIC Yuvaraj Swain were present at the pallisabha.
PNN