Bhubaneswar | Oct 28, 2015: The State Government is considering to hold Gram Sabhas once again in Niyamgiri hills for bauxite mining activities.

Two years ago, villagers residing in and around the hills in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts had strongly protested against mining in the hills. They had expressed their views through a series of Gram Sabhas which were held following a Supreme Court’s direction pertaining to a row of mineral exploration by the Vedanta.

However, this time the State Government has prepared a plan to extract bauxite from Niyamgiri through the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) to ensure long-term supply of bauxite to the companies with whom it has signed pacts.

Since the villagers denied any mining activities and as any further such activities require nod of the Supreme Court, the Mines Department has sought legal advice on the matter.

Based on the recommendation of the legal experts, the Government would take a final decision whether to seek nod of the Supreme Court or the Union Forests and Environment Ministry in this regard.

(Source: http://pragativadi.com/)