Dongrias demand withdrawal of survey report in company’s favour

--State repeatedly violating SC order: NSS

BHUBANESWAR: The Niyamgiri Surakhya Samiti (NSS) on Monday condemned the repeated violations of the Supreme Court verdict in the Vedanta Sterlite Bauxite Mining Case by the State Government to favour the company. The leaders of the NSS are deeply aggrieved by the recent attempts of the State Government officials to manipulate provisions of law arid manufacture documents by misleading people.

The NSS members alleged that the local administration of Rayagada has manipulated with the process of claims and recognition of rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) apparently to influence the proceedings of the Gram Sabhas notified in July and August.

The Supreme Court in its order had categorically asked to ensure that the proceedings of the Gram Sabha takes place independently and completely uninfluenced either by the Project proponents or the Central Government or the State Government. However, the recent interventions by the local administration and the manufactured reports clearly indicate that the State Government is trying to influence the proceeding of the Gram Sabhas apparently to favour the interests of the Vedanta Company, they added.

The members demanded illegalities involved in the case should be promptly enquired by the Central Government and the Supreme Court need to be informed about it. Proper implementation of the SC order will require more proactive intervention from the Central Government and the ministry of tribal affairs. It is also necessary that not just the Gram Sabha proceedings but the entire process of execution of the SC order in Niyamgiri need to be monitored directly by the Supreme Court. The process should also be monitored by the civil society organisations and particularly third party in this case. In its directions the ministry of tribal affairs had desired involvement of third party in the proceedings of the Gram Sabha. However the State Government has neither involved the third party nor maintained any transparency in the entire process.

The members demanded cancellation of Gram Sabha at Ijurupa as there was only one family in the village belonging to OBC category who has been recently settled there. As per FRA, 2006 there should be at least 10 to 15 members required to form Forest Rights Committee which would hold Gram Sabha.

Activists like Lok Shakti Abhiyan president Prafulla Samantara, NSS member Bhalachandra Sadangi, journalist Rabi Dash and Dongra tribe representatives Lada Sikaka and Kumuti Majhi called upon all concerned citizens, groups and media to be watchful of the joint moves of Vedanta and the State Government.