Giving a patient hearing to the woes of tribals here, Congress General Secretary, Mr Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday said that people affected by the Posco steel project in Orissa must get justice, proper compensation and rehabilitation.
Mr Gandhi said development was essential but it had to be ensured that people affected in this process must be adequately taken care of.
Firm stand
“If Posco provides proper rehabilitation to the affected people, then we will be with Posco. If it fails to do so, we will be with the agitating people fighting for justice,” Mr Gandhi said during an interaction with tribals at a youth conference here. Jharsuguda is about 400 km from Bhubaneswar
South Korean steel major Posco's $12 billion steel project in Orissa, billed as the country's largest foreign direct investment, was given conditional clearance by the Environment Ministry in May after adopting a tough stand.
“Congress is with the people to provide them justice. Development is essential, but the project affected people should be provided proper compensation and rehabilitation,” Mr Gandhi, who has also backed tribals of Niyamgiri in Orissa who had opposed Vedanta's mining project, said.
He had earlier visited Niyamgiri Hills in Kalahandi district where tribals have been agitating against bauxite mining there.
Mr Gandhi asked tribal youths not to tolerate injustice and come forward to lead their own community with the Youth Congress providing a platform for them.
“Leadership is lacking among adivasi youths. Do not tolerate injustice,” he said in an interaction with youths.