Leave anti-development path

It is always being said that the people of Orissa are poor despite the land having rich natural resources. These resources are not being able to change the fate of the people of the State due to lack of proper utilization. During the tenure of Mr. Biju Patnaik as the Chief Minister, the Government took up steps to make the state industrially developed by investing a portion of the natural resources of the State. The process of industrialization kicked during this period to utilize the iron ores, manganese, chrome ores, limestone, dolomite and coal reserved in the State. The process still continues with the establishment of many mega and medium scale steel and aluminium industries and thermal power plants. The per capita income of the people of Orissa has also gone up as they have become the stakeholders in the process of development. With this, the infrastructures of the State have been developed and many steps are being taken up towards the development of education, agriculture and forest conservation. With the private business houses being partners in this development process, the lifestyle of the State has started to change. But industrial development of Orissa is not one-sided. The State Government, industrial houses and people of the land are making concerted efforts towards the progress of the State. Parallel efforts are also on in the field of the development of the tribals and people belonging to backward classes. They have been entitled with the Forest Rights and their productivity is being enhanced through development of education and healthcare facilities. But the process of including the tribals in this stream of development is being delayed due to the democratic nature of the procedure being followed. Taking this delay as an opportunity, some terrorist and leftist groups, voluntary organizations and people with vested interests have started movement against industrialization in the name of environment and displacement. It is unfortunate that while Amnesty International has taken the lead in this movement, some outfits like Chasi Mulia Sangha in Koraput are continuing agitations against land acquisition and protesting the industries in the name of R&R and land acquisition issues. But in real practice the rehabilitation and peripheral development of different industrial houses have contributed to further the socio-economic development of districts like Kalahandi, Jajpur and Jagatsinghpur. The locals are being provided with new houses, schools, health centres, nutritious foods and midday meals. But the opponents of this development process are instigating the people by spreading negative information. While the process of change is changing the standard of living of the people, they are, on the other hand, are being misled. The innocent people are being organized against industrialization in the name of environment, traditional way of living and religion. While voluntary organizations like Amnesty International are misleading the locals against the proposed Dhamra Port Project, POSCO’s steel project, proposed thermal power project and aluminium project, the leftists and terrorist groups are taking the advantage of the situation and creating violence. There is a need of peaceful environment for the economic and social development. On the other hand, while the rehabilitation and resettlement programmes are being implemented with the consultation of the displaced, they are instigated to follow the path of violence. Considering the adverse effects of the Naxal and Maoist movements in the development process of the Eastern India , the Government of India has taken serious measures to handle the issue. While some terrorists have been arrested, some others have surrendered meanwhile. It is being expected that all the problems would be sorted out if they come forward for peaceful discussion leaving the path of violence. Time has come to choose the path of peace and progress. The groups who are instigating and misleading people against development should remember that one has to forego something to achieve something. Countries like USA , UK , Russia and China have attained development by realizing this truth. So, discussion to end all the controversies and disputes and peaceful resolution of all the issues would bring prosperity to Orissa and would enhance the strength of India .

Orissa Power Sector to get a new boost with Vedanta

Orissa Power Sector to get a new boost with Vedanta

First unit of 2400 MW IPP to be commissioned in coming summer this year to fulfill the state requirement.

Construction work for Vedanta University along with Super Specialty Hospital and Medical College has been started.

Vedanta seeks support from the government for additional source Bauxite.

Plans are afloat for construction of 100 bed Burn and Trauma Care centre at Bhubaneswar.

Vedanta reiterates its commitment to set up Metal Park at Jharsuguda for Downstream industries.

Vedanta to focus on promotion of Orissa’s art and culture

Mr. Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Resources Plc and its senior executives called upon Mr. Naveen Patnaik, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Orissa and updated him about the status of on going initiatives of Vedanta for the people of Orissa. Highlights of the discussion are:

1. Odisha’s Power sector gets a relief, after the announcement by Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Resources. ‘The first Unit of 2400 Independent Power Plant at Jharsuguda would be commissioned in coming summer’, he said. This will add 600 MW

to the state’s power production capacity and can help the state government in combating the current power crisis. It is to be mentioned that Vedanta has been supplying 15% of the total requirement of the state power from its captive power plant since recent past.

2. Commencement of construction of Vedanta University project at Puri. Mr. Anil Agarwal thanked Mr. Naveen Patnaik and his government for extending administrative support to begin the construction work. It is to be noted that Orissa government has already passed the Vedanta University bill in July, 2009. Government of Orissa has promised to provide full support for establishing of the world class university at Puri. At the first stage, the University will have a 1000 bed super specialty hospital and Medical College, also academic building.

3. Mr. Anil Agarwal also informed to the government that Lanjigarh refinery is fully operational by sourcing bauxite from other states, incurring a huge opportunity loss for both states as well as company. State government has assured to look into the issue seriously and try to work out for an immediate solution.

4. Construction activities for a specialized burn and trauma care centre at Bhubaneswar would begin very soon. The 100-bed capacity advanced burn and trauma care centre will cater the high demand of the accident and trauma patients of the state as currently there is no such medical facilities are available. The Company has already appointed HOSMAC, an internationally reputed hospital designing and construction company for the primary evaluation and designing. Mr. Agarwal had committed the same during his last visit to Bhubaneswar in August 2009. This will be an additional hospital project that Vedanta has taken up, apart from the medical college and research center at Puri and a general Hospital at Jharsuguda.

5. Necessary study and project report for development of a Metal Park at Jharsuguda has been completed. The metal park will have about 100 medium and small scale industries, creating employment opportunity for 15000 people. “It will promote employment opportunities, besides encouraging entrepreneurship,” Mr. Agarwal said. Vedanta will also providehotmetals, electricity and technical expertise as well as R&D support.

6. On request of state government, Mr. Anil Agarwal also assures that Vedanta would build a hostel for newly Government Engineering College at Bhawanipatna to accommodate its students.

7. As a part of its continued focus on social responsibility, Vedanta will now focus on promoting art and culture of Orissa. Vedanta will take a special initiative now onwards to search the hidden talents across the state at grassroots level and nurture them through a proper training system.

About the Company:

Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL) has set up a Greenfield Alumina Refinery in Orissa with a capacity of 1 Million tons per annum. It is also setting up a 0.5 MTPA Aluminum Smelter, 1215 MW Captive Power Plant. The Group Company Sterlite Energy Limited is also setting up a 2400 MW Independent Power Plants at Jharsuguda. VAL is one of the world’s premier alumina refining complex in terms of its technology, human resources and high quality infrastructure. VAL has built a high caliber team who are passionately contributing to the growth and efficiency of the organization.

For Further Query Contact

Mr. Bibek Chattopadhyay

Bibek.c@vedanta.co.in

Please visit our website at www.vedantaaluminium.com