Problems galore for Vedanta's Lanjigarh refinery

Vedanta's decision to close its loss-making Lanjigarh refinery is triggering varied reactions across the state. While on one hand Union ministry's recommendation to grant mining lease (ML) over Karlapat bauxite mines to feed the dying refinery stands thwarted in the face of opposition from the tribal organizations, landlosers in the Lanjigarh region, on the other hand, have sent a letter requesting Vedanta COO not to shut down the plant.

Vedanta Land-Losers Association have also written to the state government authorities as well as the chief minister asking them to provide bauxite for the refinery to run smoothly.

President of VLLA, Lanjigarh mentioned about Vedanta’s various development initiative in terms of health, education, livelihood and infrastructure bringing a change in development of the region.

Paramanand Naik, general secretary of the Association said villagers of four gram panchayats – Lanjigarh, Chhatrapur, Batelima and Champadeipur will be adversely impacted if the plant is closed.

Now it remains to be seen what the state government does to resolve this two-pronged issue and help expedite bauxite mining in the Karlapat region, so that the closure of the Lanjigarh alumina refinery is avoided and the interests of both the company as well as the people of Odisha at large is served.