Expediting the follow up action on Supreme Court’s landmark judgement on the proposed bauxite mining at Niyamgiri Hills, Odisha Government instructed the District Collectors of Kalahandi and Rayagada to initiate action within three months for completing Gram Sabhas (village council meeting) for extraction of the mineral.
The State Government issued a notification in this regard where the authorities of Kalahandi and Rayagada were also asked to start receiving fresh claims of individual, community and religious rights of local inhabitants under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Earlier, the State Government had urged the Orissa High Court to nominate a district judge level judicial officer to supervise the proposed public hearing to be conducted in 12 Niyamgiri Hill slope villages located in jurisdiction of Kalahandi and Rayagada districts.
Sources said the ST and SC Development Department issued notification after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik gave final approval for conducting the Gram Sabha in 12 villages.
The High Court has sought certain clarification from the State’s scheduled tribe and scheduled caste development department.