The Supreme Court judgment on the proposed bauxite mining of Vedanta in Niyamgiri hills has left both the Opposition and ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) disappointed as it has left the decision to the local Gram Sabha.
While the Congress alleged that there may be attempt to influence the opinion of the tribals, the State Government maintained that it would take a decision after getting a copy of the judgment.
The Supreme Court judgment said that it is upto the local gram sabhas in the villages of Rayagada and Kalahandi districts to decide whether to allow mining by the Vedanta Group.
The court ordered the State Government to share details of the mining proposal with the Gram Sabha which has three months to make up its mind and share its decision with the Union Environment Ministry on the matter.
Reacting to the judgment, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “We will await the judgment of the court. We do not have the report as yet.”
State BJP president KV Singhdeo said by directing that the gram sabha meetings should be held in the presence of a judicial officer, the Supreme Court judgment has shown that the apex court does not have faith in the State Government on the issue.
The State Government should respect the Supreme Court’s judgment and hold gram sabas in the affected areas without further delay, he added.
Former minister and Chairman of the Congress media cell, Narasingh Mishra said the Supreme Court has upheld the Centre’s contention to respect the sentiments of the tribal people and has recognised the voice of the people.
“Ultimately, the people have won and now they have to take a decision,” Mishra said.
“There may be a competition to influence the opinion of the people, but I believe ultimately the people will win,” he said.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) had given in-principle approval to the bauxite mining project in 2007.
However, in August 2010, the ministry had rejected the clearance citing various violation of forest and environmental laws.