Displaced residents seek Aditya Alumina Refinery for 0.01 per cent equity stake

Image source: https://www.birlaojasvi.ind.in/

Villagers displaced by Aditya Alumina Refinery attended a meeting with the company on January 3 at the Rayagada Sub-Collector’s conference hall, Odisha. They raised long-standing concerns, demanding a 0.01 per cent equity stake, and several other forms of compensation. Chaired by Ramesh Jena, Sub-Collector, the meeting was attended by company representatives and the landowners of Anthuguda, Kadapadar, Puhundi, and Podapadi in the Kashipur block, Rayagada district, Odisha. 

Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain

Aditya Birla Group initiated the Aditya Alumina Refinery project in 2006. Compensation was paid based on land values prevalent at that time. However, the refinery remained non-functional until 2023. In December 2025, landowners staged a demonstration before the company.

Villagers raise requests

The resident villagers called for a Rehabilitation and Periphery Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC) meeting. They placed several demands, including assigning displaced person (DP) status to 34 families from Puhundi mouza and Nuasahi residents, recognition of the DP village to Kadapadar village owing to the mining road and belt passing through it, and compensation at four times the prevalent market rate as in the 2013 Industrial Policy. Permanent employment for local youth has also been requested, with 90 per cent reservation in unskilled and 75 per cent in skilled categories.

Additional demands consisted of a 30 per cent company work allotment to local contractors, transportation service allocation to DP, and Project Affected Persons (PAP). An engineering college and setting up a 100-bed medical facility have also been sought in the region. 

They further asked for the local representatives, Akhil Jhodia, Gangadhar Raj, Lalita Naik, and Rabi Majhi, to be admitted in the RPDAC, the appointment of an Odia-speaking CEO, and, most importantly, granting them a 0.01 per cent equity stake in the company, ensuring long-term economic security for the current and future generations.

Response from the company

Company officials clarified that some local residents had already been employed and assured that the company authorities would continue to offer job opportunities in the coming days. The Sub-Collector stated that displaced families would be provided with all the necessary assistance.

Officials present at the meeting were Deepak Mohanty, HR Head of Aditya Alumina, and Tanmay Mohanty, CSR and R&R Head of the company.  

Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics