Goanetters annual year-end meet is on Dec 27, 2010 (Monday) from 4-6 pm at Institute Piedade (near Hotel Mandovi, opp Bread & More) in Panjim. Do come along. RSVP via SMS 9822122436, f...@goa-india.org or 2409490 (after 2 pm).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I thought members on this list would be interested in this item. Best regards, U G Barad In Orissa, a ban on mining also puts rehab of tribals on hold Author: MV Ramsurya, Mumbai Publication: Economic Times Dated: December 14, 2010 Intro: SC Had Asked Sterlite To Spend About 5% Of Profits For Development In Lanjigarh After putting a halt to bauxite mining in Orissa, the government now finds itself in a bind on the issue of rehabilitation in Lanjigarh. Corporate-backed developmental activities in the tribal region, one of the most backward places in the country, have come to a standstill following the environment ministry's ban on mining. The Anil Agarwal-controlled Sterlite Industries had been ordered by the Supreme Court in August 2008 to spend about 5% of its profit for development activity at Lanjigarh. Since the environment ministry barred mining in the region in August 2010, the implementation of the rehabilitation package too has come to a standstill. The 10 crore of annual development work includes building of roads, schools and hospitals. "If disbursement from the development fund were to continue, it would imply approval of mining which would be contrary to the ministry's order," said one person directly involved in the developmental work. On August 30, 2010, the ministry of environment and forests issued a notice barring bauxite mining in Niyamgiri on grounds of violation of environmental norms. According to the same person quoted earlier, if the government asks Sterlite to stop developmental activity it would amount to contempt of court as it would go against the Supreme Court directive. "...Under our order, we suggested rehabilitation package under which Sterlite Industries is required to deposit 5% of annual profits before tax and interest from Lanjigarh project or 10 crore per annum, whichever is higher," said the Supreme Court order. "The said project covers both mining and refining. The amount is required to be deposited by Sterlite Industries every year, commencing from April 1, 2007. For the above reasons, we hereby grant clearance to the forest diversion proposal...," read the order dated August 8, 2008. A spokesperson for Vedanta Resources, the parent company of Sterlite Industries, declined to comment on the issue. Mails sent to the environment ministry went unanswered. For tribals of the area, the halt in developmental activity has compounded their woes. "We have wasted our time for nothing. Now, we want basic facilities like education and healthcare first. Industrial development can come later," said Jitu Jakasika, a Dongriya Kondh tribal, one of the few people to have studied.