Vedanta Meet In Bhubaneswar: Former SC Judge Calls For Human Face To Mining Process

Bhubaneswar: Minerals can bring more wealth to the society but mining of mineral need to be done with human face, said former Supreme Court judge Justice Ananga Patnaik on Friday.

Speaking at a national convention on “Development of Mineral bearing Areas: Odisha Shows the way” on digital platform in Bhubaneswar, Justice Patnaik said, “Local people in and around mineral bearing areas should get the benefit of growth and development.” He appreciated Vedanta Aluminium & Power for bringing transformational change in Jharsuguda and Kalahandi districts.

Minister Prafulla Mallick spoke on plans and programmes of the government in driving the growth and development in mineral bearing areas. He appreciated the efforts of corporates and industry bodies for organising the convention to enable eminent personalities connected with the developmental work in mining areas.

Asit Tripathy, principal advisor to chief minister and Chairman of Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) made a presentation on various measures taken by the government including supply of safe drinking water, health, education and employment in mineral bearing areas.

CJ Venugopal, additional chief secretary and chief administrator of KBK area suggested for systematic approach in providing investment and infrastructure in mining areas for promoting all round development.

Rahul Sharma, CEO of Vedanta informed that the company, which has already made the single largest investment of Rs 80,000 crore in Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh, would further invest Rs 25,000 crore.

G Rajesh, CEO of Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC) made a presentation on development works undertaken by OMBDC in mining and mineral areas.

Ranjit Rath, CMD, Oil India Limited presented off-shore and on- shore drilling by Oil India in Odisha and their plan for investment. Prof Jaiswal, Director, IIM said there is enough scope to bring improvement in Sustainable Development Goal index and Human Development Index of the state while Prof Shastri, Director, CSIR- IMMT suggested for application of technology to bring value out of the minerals.

Eminent professionals like Sasmita Samanta, vice-chancellor of KIIT; GG Pal, CEO Vedanta Refinary Lanjigarh; Sariputta Mishra, CEO, OCPL; Brahma Mishra, Chairman, UCCI; Sanjay Patnaik, Director Essar; Devjyoti Mohanty, CEO AIC Nalanda; Sudhakar Panda, former vice-chancellor, Birla Global University; Bijay Mishra, Chief Editor PBD; JK Panigrahi, secretary, Odisha Environment Society; Namrata Chada, women rights activist and HK Behera, chairman Odisha Corporate Foundation also spoke. Durga Prasad Gouda, COO AIC Nalanda offered vote of thanks.