Jharsuguda: The members of the ST Commission visited the peripheral villages of Vedanta Ltd., Jharsuguda today and interacted with the villagers and the ST community in particular during their two-day visit to Jharsuguda and Sambalpur.
The commission visited Katikela, Burkhamunda, Banjari and Kurebaga villages to interact with the residents and capture their aspirations, expectation and issues specific to the ST community. Despite a few voices of discontent the villagers at large acknowledged the CSR work done by the company but they also demanded better drinking water facility, health services and more employability of local youth.
In the evening the commission also met the senior representatives of Vedanta led by its CEO Mr Abhijit Pati to review the situation on ground in presence of the district Collector and other senior officials of district administration. The commission advised Vedanta to expedite rehabilitation process of Katikela Village and also to provide better facilities of drinking water and health in addition to the existing programs. Mr Pati assured cooperation in this regard.
Earlier the commission also met the representatives of the Vedanta supported all women Subhalaxmi Cooperative and appreciated their efforts specifically directed for the ST women.
The representatives of the 3000 strong women cooperative made a representation to the members of the ST Commission demanding facilitation by the commission for leveraging government schemes specifically meant for its ST women members at Jharsuguda. The committee assured the cooperative for extending support for channelizing government projects specifically meant for the ST community.
Subhalaxmi Cooperative currently has 3324 active women members, of which 1774 belong to the ST community. Started in 2008 with active support of Vedanta Ltd. at Jharsuguda, the Cooperative currently has a strong fund base of 2.26 crore. Vedanta has till date invested Rs 3.16 Crore to support this livelihood initiative that has emerged as its flagship CSR program reaching out to 64 villages in Jharsuguda.
Speaking on the occasion Mr Pati said “We welcome the suggestion of the commission and we assure all cooperation. We remain committed to the local development and we are constantly working for the betterment of the marginalised communities and the Subhalaxmi Cooperative is a testimonial of the same.
