05 JULY 2013Business Standard
AG views awaited on Niyamgiri bauxite mining project talks
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
1 min read
State’s tribal affairs department has consulted the state Advocate General (AG) on the possibility of expanding purview of gram sabhas to decide the fate of bauxite excavation atop Niyamgiri hills.
The AG is likely to give his comments on the matter in a couple of days.
"The possibility of including more villages for gram sabhas to decide the fate of the proposed bauxite mining project is still under scrutiny. We are holding consultations with the AG whose views are expected in two days," said a senior government official.
The state government's decision to limit gram sabhas to only 12 villages on Niyamgiri hill slopes had drawn flak from the Union ministry of tribal affairs (MoTA).
MoTA held that limiting gram sabha proceedings to only 12 villages is not in accordance with the Supreme Court order dated April 18 and directions issued by the ministry under Section 12 of Forest Right Act (FRA).
The MoTA said it is in receipt of copies of several claims under FRA for various rights including religious and cultural rights claimed over Niyamgiri forests and sacred areas from villages over and above the 12 villages selected by the state government.
The AG is likely to give his comments on the matter in a couple of days.
"The possibility of including more villages for gram sabhas to decide the fate of the proposed bauxite mining project is still under scrutiny. We are holding consultations with the AG whose views are expected in two days," said a senior government official.
The state government's decision to limit gram sabhas to only 12 villages on Niyamgiri hill slopes had drawn flak from the Union ministry of tribal affairs (MoTA).
MoTA held that limiting gram sabha proceedings to only 12 villages is not in accordance with the Supreme Court order dated April 18 and directions issued by the ministry under Section 12 of Forest Right Act (FRA).
The MoTA said it is in receipt of copies of several claims under FRA for various rights including religious and cultural rights claimed over Niyamgiri forests and sacred areas from villages over and above the 12 villages selected by the state government.
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