The idea of a ‘welfare’ state, when extended beyond acceptable larger good, ends up giving free food to the citizens. It surely has a humanitarian side to it. At the same time, the negative (and probably a bit hilarious) side of this governmental endeavour is that it is not helping promote the spirit of enterprise in people. India as a whole and Orissa particularly is in a situation where the need is for more of job creators who will give a push to the productive sectors, to reach cash in people’s hands and ensure overall economic growth. Job seekers are mere servants while job creators are entrepreneurs. This implies that there is need for more and more young women and men to be encouraged to become entrepreneurs and create opportunities for others. Therefore, while unequivocally disapproving the system of providing free food which might lead to lethargy, we also cannot understand why Central Government-owned public sector undertakings (PSU) operating in this state are backing out from a social responsibility of meeting the needs of the state.
For example, Rourkela Steel Plant had agreed to fund the project ‘Ahar’ in Rourkela. By doing this, RSP would have gained the love and affection of the poorest of the poor in and around the steel city. This would have been a good PR exercise for Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL). Similarly, Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) was supposed to sponsor Ahar in Sambalpur where it is headquartered. Nalco was to fund the project in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. With some of these central PSUs going as far as signing MoUs with the state government, it is now inconceivable that these mega corporations are backing out from such a public commitment. For giants like MCL or RSP, spending a meagre three to five crore per annum would have earned them tremendous goodwill within their areas of operation. Similarly, Nalco too would have gained considerable goodwill.
It must be mentioned here that the new company law mandates that large corporations must commit two per cent of their profit for corporate social responsibility (CSR). With this background in mind, citizens of Orissa, especially those living in the industrial and mining belts, are aware of how little these mega companies contribute to peripheral development. The funds earmarked for periphery development are supposed to be used within a radius of five km from the boundaries of the area of operation of these companies. Unfortunately, none of this happens. For instance, the manner in which Nalco creates fluoride pollution in Angul town and nearby areas is appalling, to say the least. Yet it does nothing to address the problem but simply hoodwink the people with active cooperation of state and district administrators.
Apart from that, the villagers around Nalco’s smelter plant survive daily under a tangible threat of toxic (highly fatal) chemicals flooding their villages and fields from the factory. Similarly, the problem of emission of smoke and other pollutants from Nalco, NTPC and RSP is well-known. Companies such as these, along with MCL, are infamous for their unethical mining practices. The resettlement and rehabilitation packages of MCL are virtually non-existent. Under the draconian Coal Bearing Areas Act (CBA), MCL virtually runs roughshod over the poor villagers of the coal mining areas of Orissa starting from Talcher to the Ib Valley. MCL is merciless and ruthless and all that its seniors talk about is reaching the target set for them. Sadly, the district administrators have been historically and unusually favouring these Central Government-owned mega corporations over the basic needs of the common people.
Under the pretext of “national good”, the people of Orissa have been made landless, homeless and complete paupers at the behest of these companies with active support from the concerned state officials. Tahsildar-rank officials who act as Land Acquisition Officers (LAOs) become extremely cruel and corrupt. Once they get “empowered” by these companies, they forget the interests of the people of their own state. It is a known fact that local police also act according to the wishes of the company officials who are known to have an unending supply of cash for handling situations where they have to suppress public opinion or agitations. Most times, the agitators might be asking for improvement to the roads destroyed by heavy vehicles plying for these companies. Or they generally ask for drinking water, the original sources of which get destroyed by the activities of these mega units. Interestingly, there are very few high- ranking Oriya officials in most of these enterprises. Especially MCL, RSP and Nalco are chronically averse to have an Oriya officer. Exceptions do not make the rule.
It is also a known fact that a majority of MCL’s senior and mid-rank officials are intrinsically anti-Oriyas and Orissa. Most of them hail from Bihar and therefore they have what many perceive as a ‘strong disdain’ for Oriyas. All this apart, the fact remains that none of these companies is honestly investing even the small amounts that they are supposed to spend under the banner of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This implies that the citizens and the state of Orissa are being taken for a bumpy and uncomfortable ride.
From the days of post-Independence, states like Orissa, West Bengal and Bihar suffered considerably while being subjugated to the freight rationalization regime. These states lost out while other states got the benefits. Now, again, expecting that Orissa should sacrifice so that other states will prosper is a kind of patriotism that may not seem palatable to most youngsters in this state. The average Oriya is not willing to accept this burden any longer. It is time the eastern parts of the country, especially the state of Orissa, got a fair deal from the Centre. This should not be colored as a mere political slogan. It should seem unthinkable how these companies dared to disobey the state government’s directives.
This exhibits an anti-Orissa mindset prevalent amongst the bureaucrats handling these enterprises. The fight against this mindset should not be limited to any political party. Only when the average Oriya citizen rises and launches an economic blockade will the nation understand the importance and sacrifices of the average Oriya. It is not for them to question our patriotism. It is now time for them to understand what we stand for. The movement that will stop export of coal, aluminium and iron ore even for a mere fortnight should make every Indian aware of the average Oriya. The need to rise and shine is imperative. And the time is now.