Local Employees, Affected Community come forward for Vedanta Aluminium

Around 700 people, including employees and families displaced by Vedanta Alumina Limited at Kalahandi's Lanjigarh, met the district collector at Bhawanipatna on Tuesday and requested him to ensure supply of bauxite to the factory so that it does not shut down. They said closure of VAL would affect the livelihood of 20,000 locals, who are either directly or indirectly benefitting from the factory set up in 2004.

Earlier, the chief operating officer (COO) of VAL Mukesh Kumar had written to the state government intimating it about the factory's closure from December 5. The displaced families and around 160 VAL employees belonging to Kalahandi and Rayagada districts have been living under apprehension.

"Since 2004, there has been considerable improvement in the lives of tribals. The displaced families, who gave away their land, have also been rehabilitated by the company. Local youths were also employed by VAL. Therefore, we appeal to the state government to facilitate supply of bauxite so that lives of local tribals can be saved", said Srikanta Bohidar, who is working as an associate officer in corporate social responsibility wing of VAL.

He said though the state government had promised to provide 150 MT of bauxite it later reneged on its promise.

Kalahandi collector Dukhishyam Satpathy said the displaced families and some VAL employees came to him to submit the memorandum. "The displaced families, who have been staying in rehabilitation colonies appealed to me to send the message to the state government not to close down the factory. The employees, who are being benefitted directly or indirectly by VAL also made a request," the collector sai