Congress Party brings the Koraput bauxite project under the lens of scrutiny

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The Indian National Congress (INC), an Indian political party, has expressed concern to the Union Government over the proposed bauxite project at Odisha’s Koraput district. Mr Jairam Ramesh, the General Secretary of the INC, has referred to the Forest Rights Act, 2006, to safeguard tribal as well as forest rights.

The matter came to the forefront after a debate over the approval documents from the Gram Sabha meetings held for a bauxite mining project on the Balda Hill in the Nageswari forest reserve was brought into consideration.

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The Congress leader pointed out that the company in concern has assumed 400 acres of forest land originally owned by the localites who claim traditional and spiritual rights protected under the law over the land.  

In addition, he sought better transparency and stakeholder engagement, mentioning the concerns expressed by local communities regarding the process through which Gram Sabha approvals were obtained. Ramesh noted that similar concerns have also been raised in connection with mining-related projects in Odisha's Kalahandi and Rayagada districts.

Stating that "The Union Minister of Tribal Affairs is responsible for implementing the Forest Rights Act in both letter and spirit,” he has urged Jual Oram, Union Tribal Affairs Minister, to take note of the requests made by the local villagers.

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