Congress smells Centre-State deal over Niyamgiri mines

Bhubaneswar: Soon after the Supreme Court constituted a 3-judge bench to hear the petition filed by the Odisha government seeking review of apex court’s decision to uphold restrictions on mining of bauxite in the Niyamgiri hills, the Congress has alleged the State and Central government are working hand in gloves to give away mining rights of the controversy-ridden mine to Vedanta.

Odisha Congress chief Prasad Harichandan alleged that the State government, by terming the gram sabhas as illegal, is trying to deceive the tribals of the area who are opposing mining activities.

“The State government is conspiring to allocate the mines in Niyamgiri hills to Vedanta. The gram sabhas were conducted by the Odisha government in presence of a district judge cadre authority. Now, the government itself is terming the gram sabhas as unlawful and legally not enforceable. It just goes to shows the undue love of both the Central and State governments towards Vedanta,” said Harichandan