IS THIS THE DEVELOPMENT WE ARE LOOKING FOR? CRUEL FACE OF INDUSTRILISATION

CRUEL FACE OF INDUSTRIALIZATION

TRUE STROY FROM RAJAGANGPUR BLOCK OF SUNDERGARH DISTRICT OF ORISSA

 SECURITY STAFF OF ORISSA CEMENT LTD (OCL) GUNS DOWN TRIBAL YOUTH

 APPROACH OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SOFT TOWARDS OCL

 TRIBALS DEMAND ARREST OF THE GUILTY OFFICERS

By Pravin Patel,

Dated: 17th December, 2008

BACKGROUND:

This is a true story of village Lanjiberna where Dalmias have tried to redefine the definition of development. Dalmia Cement Ltd was set up before about fifty years on the lands acquired from the tribals. A visit to the area will tell the truth that that has developed and the destruction of those once proud land owners who gave away their lands to Dalmias in the name of development and also those living in the periphery area. Big day dreams sold before fifty years are blown to pieces. Tribals feels cheated and demoralized. District administration despite having full knowledge of what has happened and is happening appears pigmy before the giant industrial house. The hired musclemen operating in the area works overtime to create divisions amongst the tribal community divide them by luring them to some easy money, liquor and what not. Those who lost the lands, hardly any faces will be found who will be in the list of permanent employment.

Dalmia Cement now changed to Orissa Cement Ltd is a classic example to study the effects of Industrialization and redefine the magic word “DEVELOPMENT” which is used by champions of development who mostly write one sided story without even trying to study the realities. Large areas of unused land still lies in possession of the Dalmias despite they do not require even after fifty years of possessing the same. It is time to take a stock of the situation at Rajgangpur and nearby mining to show to the world hard realities. I present the recent incident of cold blooded murder of a tribal activist youth by the security staff of the Orissa Cement Ltd., owned by the Dalmias.

Tragic Incident: Sushil Lakra aged about 22 years got killed by live bullets fired on him by the security staff of Orissa Cement Ltd just few days back. In critical condition he was taken to the city’s best hospital at Rourkela where after some treatment, was referred to Cuttack where on way, breathed his last near Angul and finally cremated on 11-12-2008 at Lanjiberna.

Realities :

There is tension in the entire area at the loss of their beloved Sushil Lakra at the hands of Orissa Cement Ltd., (In short OCL) more particularly as the deceased used to raise the voice of protest against management of OCL, be it the matter of construction of 12 KM long over head conveyor belting system o illegally acquired lands in blunt violation of the Panchayat Extension of Scheduled Areas Act, 1996; and matters pertaining to the repairs of roads; Environmental pollution; disturbances caused due to ill-timed blasting at mines; high handed biased attitude of the management; neglect in providing employment; exploiting tribals as cheaply paid contract workers, Non compliance of the payment of wages as fixed by the Cement Wage Board, Sushil used to lead with few others. This was not to the taste of the OCL management and was illegally sent to jail on falsely created cases on the baseless complains. Serious doubts are raised that Sushil Lakra has fallen victim to a well knit conspiracy woven by the management of OCL to get rid of him and to create terror in the minds of the villagers to give them a message either to keep quiet and suffer silently or else shall be treated similarly, as they have treated Sushil Lakra.

LINIENT DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION:

It is specifically stated that the role of the district administration is extremely lenient towards the industrial corporations. Despite causing huge pollution in the entire area, no action is taken. Many Sponge Iron plants and crasher units are the biggest defaulters of the pollution norms but are allowed to run throwing villagers to suffer. Many antisocial elements have made Sundergarh and nearby districts their play ground. Is this the definition of development where there are ruins and chaos is in store for the tribals?

SHAMELESS FACE OF OCL MANAGEMENT:

Even after the death of Sushil Lakra, there is no respite. The delay in handing over the body of the deceased was due to the way shameless OCL tried to bargain on the compensation amount. Cruel face of the OCL was unveiled when they announced one lakh as the compensation to be paid to the family of the deceased. On it being out rightly rejected by the villagers, it took several hours for the OCL management to announce Rs. 1.2 Lakhs. This made the villagers angry and made it clear that nothing less than Rs. 20 Lakhs shall be accepted. It took hours but was not able to decide what to do and when it was almost getting dark in the late evening hours, they agreed to the sub collector’s proposal to pay Rs.3.5 Lakhs. Villagers were totally exhausted as without food and even drinking water, whole day was lost, flatly rejected it. On an assurance that at a meeting at the Tehsil office on 16-12-2008 at about 2.15 PM, the matter shall be taken up to resolve the deadlock.

On the assurance of the administration, burial of the deceased Sushil Lakra was done by the villagers with full respect and honour performing the religious rituals at about 1 A.M., on 11.12.2008. Battery of high officials of the district was also preset at the scene. Few of them are Mr. K.V Rao, ASP; Mr. G.C. Tripathy, SDOP- Panposh; Mr. Bimalendu Roy, Sub-Collector Sundergarh; Tehsildar Rajgangpur Tehsil, Inspector in Charge, Rajgangpur PS. Their presence till the burial was not over speaks of the undue administrative pressure exercised on the villagers to favour OCL.

NEGATIVE ATTITUDE OF RAJGANGPUR TEHSILDAR:

About 300 villagers and many social activists had gathered at the premises of the Tehsil office to take part in the meeting called by the administration to resolve the matters of compensation and other demands. It is shocking to know that nor the Tehsildar nor the Sub Collector preferred to be present and avoided even in a sensitive matter like this. Any one con imagine how difficult it is to cool the tempers of the already tense villagers who are feeling continuously neglected. This not only exposes the double standard of the officials who have shown that they are not only irresponsible and but are insensitive too. Additional Tehsildar who was present expressed his helplessness to do any thing except receive our letter of demand and to listen to us. Even the OCL officials also came quite late raises the doubt that those players were playing their role as pre planed by them.

Additional Tehsildar informed to us that a settlement has been arrived at Rs. 3.5 Lakhs which was loudly refuted by the villagers. He acknowledged the receipt of the letter of demand and listened with patience. He assured that he shall apprise his superiors of the development and hand over the letter of demand to them. The next meeting is requested to be held at the village Lanjiberna in public after first week of January, 2009.

Demands of the villagers:

1. Compensation of Rs. 20 Lakhs be paid to the father of the deceased Sushil Lakra

2. Permanent employment to one member of the family.

3. CBI inquiry be ordered in to the matter.

4. Immediate arrest of the officials of the OCL Director Mr. V.P .Sood, Security in Charge Mr. Prabhakar and others u/s 302 of IPC and other sections as applicable.

5. Ordering an inquiry in to the matter of construction of 12 KM overhead conveyor belting on the lands acquired without obtaining the approval of the Gram Sabha, as is mandatory under the PESA Act.

6. Making a police inquiry in to the biodata of the security staff, since most of them are from outside the area, and are behaving as Gundas. There is apprehension that Gundas have been hired to terrorize tribals who are operating in the uniform of security staff.

7. Repossessing the large areas of unused land back from the OCL that remains unused even after about 50 years of acquisition.

8. Instructing police not to harass poor people and treat them respectfully.

9. The meetings be called in open to maintain complete transparency involving the villagers at large in the decision making process, since the father of the deceased informed the Tehsildar that after he has been killed, his son has become the son of the tribal community and any decision that will be taken will be taken in consultation with them.

At a condolence meeting, organized by the villagers at Lanjiberna was attended by local area MLA Mr. Gregory Minz, Ragunathpali MLA Mr. Halu Mundari, Pravin Patel Director, Tribal Welfare Society, and many local officials and members from the Sundergarh District Branch of Tribal Welfare Society, Paskal Barla, Bandhna Toppo, Reeva Panna, Jublun, Bhimsen Kujur, Family of the deceased Sushil Lakra and activists from Khandadhar and other areas also took part and assured villagers to work with them in their struggle for justice. Latter a memorial was created by erecting a stone at a place with full rituals of the Oraon tribe. Police party in large numbers were also on lookers to what was going on.

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Comments welcome

Pravin Patel
Writer and Director, Tribal Welfare Society
Email: tribalwelfare@gmail.com

OPEN LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA

Dated: 6th June, 2008


To,
The Prime Minister of India
Office of the Prime Minister of India
Government of India
South Block
New Delhi

Sub: Recent price hike in fuel prices and faulty mining policies.

Ref: Your twenty minute televised address to the Nation on 4th June, 08

Most Respected Sir,

I convey sincere gratitude on your addressing the Nation to take the people of our country in to confidence by directly talking to them in an effort to convince them of the economical compulsions to increase the fuel prices. I am sure, if the political compulsion to go to polls in less than few months would not been there, the hike could have been much more.

I make it categorically clear that while I raise those issues, without having any doubt on your honesty, sincerity and love for the people of India. By your personality, character and conviction, I am fully assured that cherished principles under our sovereign constitution shall be enforced and attained, particularly concerning the welfare of the people of the country amongst whom 70% survive on mere Rs. 20 per day and nearly almost 50% are in Below Poverty Line category.

In the light of the current global and national scenario, your statement is highly solicited in respect of few issues that are raised here below in the larger interest of the people of the country.

1: WE ARE FORCED TO PAY GLOBAL MARKET RATES.

We are the largest importer of the petroleum products in the world. Despite we have limited domestic production, we increase the consumption with the passage of each day. The increasing global demand and the strategy adopted by “OPEC” is showing new higher crude prices which has touched $ 135 a barrel. Worst is yet to come, as there are fears that it may climb to $200 by the year end.

Eleven or more Oil Producing and Exporting Countries have formed a cartel known as “OPEC”. The cartel has been a super success to squeeze money by pressing the noses of the oil importing nations. This has resulted in their economy riding on high waves of prosperity. This is the best example from which we can learn how best to use our natural resources and bring smiles on the faces of our over 1.1 billion people. Unfortunately, we do not do so. My country men deserves to know what is happening to our natural resources and why?

2: ALLOWING VIRTUAL LOOT OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

You will agree with me that we also have enough natural resources that can create sufficient wealth to tackle the rising oil prices to bring smiles on the faces of the people of India. I have drawn your attention in the matter in the past also giving example of OPEC before about eight months. Even the Chief Ministers of Orissa, Chhattisgarh & Jharkhand were able to meet you after great difficulty demanding a people friendly market rates linked share of Royalties on the minerals exploited from those states. Unfortunately, hard facts remains that only few handful mining and industrial houses are allowed to virtually loot the natural wealth of our country, poor persons are loaded with heavy burden of price rises on their head. I take Iron Ore for example to illustrate.

I would like to go back to 1993, when you as the then Union Finance Minister, had announced new liberalized Mineral policy. This opened the flood gates for eagle eyed private sector national and international players queuing up to grab mining leases, in the name of making investments and hundreds of MoUs have been inked, many have gone in to production. Despite the fact that we are best placed to market our natural resources, we have not done so. The prices of Iron ore went up by 71.5 % in 2005, 19 % in 2006 and 9.5% in 2007 and everything that is seen indicates they would rise between 30% & 35% in 2008. (Link: http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN0560220920071205 ). To-day, when the International price of each ton of iron ore is about $ 210 /- , our country men should have also been addressed that we are allowing to loot it at laughably low rates, which is only about Rs. 17/- per ton [ Average receipt per ton in Orissa and Chhattisgarh during last three years]. I repeat the figure is Rs. 17/- (Rupees Seventeen only) and is not a typing error. Similar is the situation in bauxite or other costly minerals.

It is also evident from above facts that we have failed to learn lessons even in a hard way. OPEC has shown us the way. When 11 or more countries can join hands to form a cartel, who prevents us to demand at least 40% of the market linked rates of Royalty of our natural resources? This leads me to raise another question. Who runs the government?

3: WHO RUNS THE GOVERNMENT?

From the above facts, it is but natural to believe that the powerful industrial houses and mining contractors are behind the curtain drivers of the government, be it of any party. While large scale displacement brings tears in to the eyes of millions of displaced persons, be it for SEZ, Industrial projects or mining activities, handful few who are able to lay hands on those lands and mining rights, are busy buying the costliest mansion in London or construct a Rs. 600 Million house in Mumbai. While huge investments are justified in the name of development and creating employment, figures have proved that it has remained illusive. Rights of poor are crushed even at the cost of firing live bullets and brave police showing faces to crack on democratic protests of people demanding justice. Kalinga Nagar in Orissa, Nandigram & Singur in West Bengal, Dadri in U.P and Gurgaon in Haryana are the best examples. While we see on electronic media, a poor person, severely beaten on the streets of Patna for stealing food for his ailing hungry mother, corrupt people are busy depositing huge unaccounted money in to the secret Swiss bank accounts and drunken sons of neo rich crushing innocent poor during their sleep in the midnight, under the wheels of their costliest cars. Recently held Karnataka Polls have also demonstrated the huge money power of the Iron Ore Mining Mafias. Even the new National Mining policy is heavily tilted towards protecting the interest of mining corporations in the name of inviting investments. This leads me to believe that the real drivers of the government are those handfuls few, who in the guise of being the largest investors are acting heavier on the policy makers. One such face, who is the largest investor, is seen occupying the constituted chair of the chairman of the investment commission of India.

4: WHERE IS THE POOR FARMER IN THE PRESENT SCENERIO?

Loading burden on the poor citizen is the crudest way of governance but easily practiced in our country. While there is continuous sustained economic growth rate of our economy, agriculture sector is witnessing continuous negative growth rate. Farmers are made to make sacrifices. The one time debt relief of Rs. 60,000 Crore + can be discussed separately with huge sops and monetary concessions given to the industrial sector each year. I am sure; this is another Pandora’s Box.

In your address you have rightly stated that "We will continue to give a fair price to our farmers for their produce.” But what about those millions of farmers, who are not able to produce wheat in winter due to non availability of irrigation facilities despite six decades of our independence! Now water from the Dams constructed in the name of farmers for example Hirakud Dam at Orissa, is diverted to industries. Similar situation is at Raigarh in Chhattishgarh. At Kuarmunda in Orissa, an old British time canal that was used by the farmers was in bad shape, despite the assurance of the Chief Minister of Orissa, from the platform of a public meeting held in the village, the canal has given way to big dia pipes laid by a sponge iron plant despite the objections of the farmers.

5: “How can we afford to go on like this for ever?”

While I appreciate that what has been done is the bare minimum. I also appreciate your statement during the televised address I quote, "Business cannot go on like this for ever. We need to learn to adjust to this new international scenario. We need to be efficient and economical in our use of energy". While specifically reacting to your above statements, in the light of the virtual loot of our natural resources and I ask the same question that you asked to the people of the country which I quote “How can we afford to go on like this for ever?” People of the country need an answer from you, how can we afford to allow such loot of our natural wealth for ever?

I have tried to impress upon you by bringing a complete picture in the light of the present petroleum price hikes. I humbly request you to please do the best needful to get free from the shackles of the behind the scene drivers and revise the rates of royalty of our natural wealth linking it to at least 40% of the market rates, that will take care of most of our economical problems. The surplus can be used for many developmental programs and granting further relief to the common man.

Thanking you and with warm regards

Yours truly
Pravin Patel
Human Rights Activist
Director, Tribal Welfare society

Copy forwarded for information in the matter.

1. Madam Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, UPA. New Delhi
2. Sri Lal Krishna Adwani. Leader of Opposition in the house of Parliament
3. Chief Minister of Orissa
4. Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.
5. Chief Minister of Jharkhand
6. Orissatodaynetwork
7. Chhattisgarh net
8. Jharkhand blog

Mining scam in Orissa only a tip of the iceberg

BHUBANESWAR | Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Pravin Patel

Orissa is not only the poorest State of the country but also the most corrupt one. The mining scam that has surfaced recently is a tip of the iceberg. Without the involvement of people at the top position of the power, such a huge scam of over Rs 4,500 crore or even much more cannot take place. It is no more a puzzle to crack as to why the people of Orissa are poorest in a State which is bestowed with huge natural resources.

The Chief Minister wears a mask of honesty but has failed to accept the challenge to prove his honesty. He has not only failed to order quick and strong actions to nab the real big sharks involved in the scam, but has also adopted a delaying tactics by ordering a departmental inquiry to be conducted by the Secretary, Ministry of Mines, who has also failed to know what is happening just below his nose.

Even suspending few officials, including the Director of Mines, is of no significance. Delaying tactics adopted by the departmental inquiry are nothing but an act to cool down the tempers of the people, as he knows very well that public memory is short, where after few months no body will talk about the scam. No body should be surprised to see those suspended officials managing to get their suspension order cancelled and climb back to the seat of power by getting a plum posting, so as to reopen the shutters of their new shops.

It is not that the top officials did not know any thing as to what is going on at Keonjhar in the name of mining. Besides the Mining Department, the Forest Department is also a partner to this crime. Who can believe them that 36 hectare of forestland has been used for illegal mining where large scale activities of men, machinery, materials and transportation is going on round the clock. But when a poor tribal takes a bamboo to weave baskets, he is booked within no time. This is what we see in many tribal areas more particularly in Orissa. When the Forest Rights Act recognises rights of tribals on forest land under their occupation, few retired forest officials have filed an PIL against it. But in this instance, they are hiding their faces. It is needless to say that the Forest Department in Orissa is also one of the most corrupt departments.

After mining and forest departments, it is the transport and police departments which are also responsible in the scam. How can the officials of both this department be spared from the scope of inquiry? Over 5,000 trucks overloaded with minerals from Keonjhar ply on all days throughout the night on NH-215, controlled by seven big gangsters who have formed an unholy nexus with the police and transport department officials, constructed temporary barriers where they stop mineral loaded trucks to forcibly extract money.

Their terror is such that whatever amount that comes out of their mouth has to be paid by the driver. There is no scope for any bargain or refusal but to pay what ever is demanded or get physically assaulted. This speaks about the volume of lawlessness in the area, exposing the true colour of the Police and Transport department officials like RTO and MVI in allowing the gangsters to run a parallel Government that results in sharing booty of Rs 40 lakh every day in between them. How can the office of the Chief Minister deny having any knowledge of such large scale open loot of mineral wealth that is known to gangsters on the street? Irony is that there is no moral left in the Chief Minister to accept the mistake or if he is clean, why he hesitates to order a CBI inquiry with scope of inquiry extended to the role of forest, transport, environment and police department officials who all have made their faces dirty in this mining scam.

By not ordering a CBI inquiry, the Chief Minister looks pigmy. It makes me laugh at him the way he tries to save big sharks that are swimming freely in the vast ocean of corruption. Had such scam had happened in China, Director of Mining and a few others would have faced live bullets of firing squad within days of being caught. What happened with two officials who were found in corrupt deals with baby food manufacturers who had used banned harmful chemicals to prepare milk powder. Not only trial was completed in 28 days but they were put before the firing squad as was pronounced in the judgment.

Naveen Patnaik needs to learn lessons from Omar Abdullah, who took no time to resign from the post of Chief Minister when charges were hurled on him on the floor of the House. Here entire opposition alleges that he has a direct role by deliberately creating opportunities for the mining mafias to loot the mineral wealth; allegations are also hurled at him on the floor of the house that he has not even cared to implement the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal and Steel that had expressed concern over the 'dilly-dallying' attitude of the Government to check illegal mining and theft of the minerals, in its report of 2006. Congress leaders are alleging that at least s 1 lakh crore worth minerals have been looted during the period 2001-2009.

It is a fact that all the players in mining business make huge money. But when it comes to pay a small fraction of it as the royalty to the State, those mining companies play gimmicks to deprive the State of its legitimate share.

In the mining scam, President of Orissa Mineral Traders’ Association is of the opinion that they suffer at the hands of mining officials now, since the scam surfaced in August 2009. Genuine mineral traders are harassed to cover up the irregularities of the mining officials. All of a sudden, he realises that 500 business firms engaged in mineral trading in Orissa are facing an uncertain future. These crocodiles do not speak a word on tribals this time despite they know that the tribals whom they have pushed out of their lands are suffering an uncertain future. Their peaceful abode that was lush green is now wearing a look of environmentally degraded area with roads totally broken with pits of all the sizes, no safe drinking water and plagued by elephant menace. But no body speaks a word about them. When the mentality is not to behave honestly, there are faces who try to seek relief at a time when the dust of mining scam is blowing in the air all over the State.

We also need to look at the speed with which the State is anxious to ink one MoU after another that has a captive mining tag. It is now very common to realise why such extraordinary interest, why this all pampering? The answer is simple, where there is honey, honeybees will be there. In mining, huge money is there, every one is in the Government or the private player or the gangsters, all are interested to share the booty. In the name of industrialisation and mining, big dreams are sold to poor and unemployed youth but when we take stock of the realities those dreams are shattered within no time.

Questions are raised by many why, despite huge natural wealth in the State, its people are very poor. The truth is that in the name of development, in the name of providing jobs, all that mineral wealth is allowed to be looted to those faces who have nothing to do with the State or its people but to make money at a jet speed. In the unholy nexus of the crocodiles with the State officials, the sole aim is to make money by hook or crook.

There is no way out except to go to the depth of the scam and expose all those who are involved, however powerful they may be. Knee-jerk reaction of the State is not going to serve any purposes. I am of the strong opinion that what we have come to know is only a tip of the iceberg. We need to reach to the bottom to find the real names of those who are the persons behind the curtain who have pulled the strings.

Something drastic needs to be done by all in whatever way they can. It is time to raise the voice to expose the big sharks and demand justice, for which if required, all should take to the streets as there is no other way out under the given circumstances. Youth have an important role to play. Media needs to be proactive. This is also the test for the media that they are also pro-active and not the puppets in the hands of any one to hide the facts from coming out.

The Bofors scandal was only of Rs 68 crore but it rocked the country and Rajiv Gandhi Government fell flat on the anger of the people who threw Congress out of power. Congress party is yet to recover from those shocks. Here is the scam which is much larger in size which appears to be a tip of the iceberg. It is now up to the people of the State to see how they take to the streets to unveil the real face of this so-called ‘clean’ State Government.

-The writer is a human rights activist and director of Tribal Welfare Society. Comments and suggestions may be sent at janatavikasmanch@gmail.com or tribalwelfare@gmail.com

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