Anti-bauxite mining JAC members term it a waste paper
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Visakhapatnam: The White Paper on bauxite mining released by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has once again come under bitter criticism. On Thursday, the CPM found fault with the contents of the 19-page document and termed it as plain lies. Talking to reporters here on Thursday, CPM state secretariat member Ch. Narasing Rao said the White Paper was supporting the proposed bauxite mining as it had mentioned the mining activity in Odisha.
“What the State government ignored is that the area where NMDC is mining bauxite in Damanjodi in Odisha is faraway from human habitations and it doesn’t come under Schedule 5 of the Constitution. Whereas in Vizag Agency, the mining will take place amidst tribals and as per the government estimates itself, around 17,000 tribals in 62 villages will be affected due to mining.
However, in reality, more than 50,000 tribals in 247 villages will face displacement if the bauxite mining is taken up. Through the White Paper, the chief minister tried to convince public in AP while mining could be done in Odisha,” he said.
Mr Rao, further said that in the White Paper, it was mentioned that Jerella panchayat had passed a resolution in support of mining in 2008, which he said was farce. “All the panchayat members of Jerella refused to signing such a resolution in 2008. Under the PESA Act, the power of passing such a resolution lies with the grama sabha but not with the concerned panchayat. This is nothing but hiding facts,” he said.
CPM politburo member Brinda Karat would participate in anti-bauxite mining meeting going to be held in Chintapalli on Nov. 30, he added. Anti-bauxite mining JAC too condemned the White Paper and termed it a waste paper.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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