After tribal stir, Chhattisgarh halts mining at Bailadila

RAIPUR: Five days into a massive protest by tribals, the Chhattisgarh government has decided to halt, for now, “all ongoing activities, including felling of forests”, for mining operations at NMDC’s Bailadila iron ore deposit number 13 on Nandiraj Hill, where the Adani Group has mine developer-cum-operator (MOO) contract.
The government will also probe allegations that that gram sabha decision was “faked” to show village council’s consent for industrial activity in the tribal region.Adani Group has said that Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) will initiate any activity “only after all mandatory requirements are met” by the owners NMDC CMDC Limited (NCL), and that AEL was not involved in obtaining clearances.
Thousands of tribals began their agitation in front of the NMDC office in Kirandul on June 7. They had trooped from all over the region, bundles of ration perched on their head, prepared for long haul to save Nandiram Hill — which they consider sacred — from mining activities.
The government’s decision to suspend activities in Bailadila came after Congress MP from Bastar, Deepak Baij, former Union minister Arvind Netam and a delegation of agitating tribals called on chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and apprised him about the sentiments of the locals.
The protesters told chief minister Baghel that gram sabha's approval is mandatory under Panchayat Extension in Scheduled Area's Act 1996 (PESA) for processes such as transfer of mine. But the decision was faked in 2014, they allege.
A government spokesman said CM Baghel has issued directions to put "all ongoing activities on hold for the time being, stop cutting of trees and conduct a probe into the complaint that gram sabha decision was faked in 2014 ". The state government will write to the Centre about the "situation arising out of the proposed mining project.
The protesters told CM Bhupesh Baghel that gram sabha’s approval is mandatory under Panchayat Extension in Scheduled Area’s Act 1996 (PESA) for processes such as transfer of mine. But the decision was faked in 2014, they allege. A government spokesman said CM Baghel has issued directions to put “all ongoing activities on hold for the time being, stop cutting of trees and conduct a probe into the complaint that gram sabha decision was faked in 2014 “. The state government will write to the Centre about the “situation arising out of the proposed mining project.
“The state government can only take a decision that pertains to its jurisdiction. Since the mine belongs to central public sector undertaking NMDC, it’s for them to take the necessary decisions. Hence, we are writing to the Centre to inform it of the situation and sentiments of the people,” Baghel told the delegation.
Thousands of tribals, carrying bows and arrows, have been on agitation for the past five days in scorching 45-degree heat. Many of them fell ill and were hospitalized, but the agitation didn’t falter.
Under the banner of Gramin Panchayat Sangh Samiti, tribals have vowed to protect ‘jal-jangal-jameen’ and their sacred hill. Maoists of Darbha division have extended support to the agitation, opposing “handing over Bastar’s natural resource to corporate houses.”
Janata Congress founder and former CM Ajit Jogi, who joined the agitation on Saturday, wrote to Congress president Rahul Gandhi late Monday night, urging him to impress upon his party’s government to withdraw the “consent to establish” certificate granted by the state environment board. On February 12 this year, the state government gave Adani Enterprises the consent to establish certificate for mining operations to extract 2 million tonnes iron ore per annum from Deposit No. 13 (where Nandiram Hill lies), he has said.
Reacting to the development, an Adani Group spokesman said: “As of today, Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) does not have any presence in Kirandul for mining. AEL has not commenced its project yet and will initiate any activity only after all mandatory requirements are met by the owner, NMDC CMDC Limited (NCL). NCL owns the iron ore resources and AEL will provide support only as an experienced and responsible mining contractor. AEL was not involved in obtaining clearances for the project.”
NMDC and NMDC formed a joint venture in 2008. In 2017, mining lease was transferred to the government-owned joint venture company NMDC-CMDC Ltd (NCL). In January 2018, at least 10 companies expressed interest to participate in the international competitive bid for Bailadila iron ore deposit No. 13, and AEL was selected through transparent reverse bidding.