Keonjhar: The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has reneged on its promise of setting up a beneficiation plant in Keonjhar though it is extracting minerals from the area, a report said adding SAIL is using them elsewhere.
Some quarters pointed out that the CPSU has not been doing development in the district despite using its minerals. SAIL has its iron mine at Bolani in Joda, but it has not set up any plant in the district. On the other hand, air and water pollution has affected many villages near the mine and the environment is said to be in danger because of polluted rivers, creeks and water bodies.
Moreover, people living in nearby villages of the mining area were deprived of drinking water, healthcare, education and road connectivity. While job scope for them has been almost nil pollution has added to their woes.
SAIL has been expanding its mining work, but it is taking its toll on ecology. Forest and wildlife are in danger, locals said. They have been demanding establishment of a plant in the area, but the company has been denying it. Even its mining has been taking place in an elephant corridor (Karo-Karampada) and the Forest Department has allowed it.
During a public hearing on its mining expansion some years back, SAIL had assured people of setting up a beneficiation plant and managed to get pubic consent in its favour.
“Now, SAIL has forgotten its promise on the plant.
At RPDAC meeting held on June 22, 2016, locals had underscored the need for establishment of a beneficiation plant for job scope.
The district administration doesn’t ask the SAIL to set up its plant while public resentment is brewing. The administration is not convening the RPDAC meeting, thus favouring the company,” noted Sibashish Nanda, a social activist.
PNN