File picture of villagers protesting at the Posco site in Dhinkia village

Bhubaneswar, April 23: After Union environment and forest minister Jairam Ramesh cautioned the state government not to ignore the palli sabha resolutions passed by the gram sabhas in the Posco project area, the government has sought a detailed report from the Jagatsinghpur district collector on the legality of the sabhas held in the area.

The resolutions of these palli sabhas have assumed importance in view of the controversy over the settlement of forests rights of the people in the project area.

The SC and ST development department’s additional secretary Sanjaeev Chadha said: “After complaints were received about the manner in which palli sabhas were held at the project site, we have sent a letter to the collector to ascertain whether the palli sabha was conducted according to the guidelines of the Forest Act. The report is expected to reach the state government within two to three days.”

Sources said the department had also forwarded the letter of the Union minister to the district collector. However, Jagatsingpur district collector Narayan Chandra Jena, who is on leave, said he would look into the government queries regarding palli sabha only after he came back from leave.

In his letter, Ramesh had said that “ignoring the palli sabha resolutions and not allowing them (member of the Posco Pratirodha Sangram Samiti — an outfit raising voice against the proposed project) to be subjected to a due process of law as enshrined in the Forest Rights Act, 2006, would be tantamount, in my considered opinion, to violating the very essence of this legislation passed unanimously and with acclaim by Parliament.”

Sources said that at the behest of the Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS), the sarpanch of Dhinkia had called a meeting of the palli sabha on February 21 and February 23 to discuss the issue of forest diversion for the project. The palli sabha had passed a unanimous resolution opposing the forest diversion proposal. According to the Forest Rights 2006 Act, any proposal for the diversion of forest land had to be approved by the palli sabha.

Diversion of nearly 1,253.225 acres of forest land is required for the Posco to set up its plant.

The state government has already intimated the Centre there were no tribal or other traditional forest dwellers inhabit the area and can claim benefits under the Forest Rights Act.

Chief secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik and forest secretary Aurobinda Behera had also reiterated this stand of the government.

However protesting against the government’s move, the PPSS had shot off a letter to the Union minister stating that an attempt was being made to stifle the voice of the local people and the palli sabha.

PPSS convener Abhay Sahu said: “The district collector will now try to mislead the state government stating that palli sabha held by the people on the invitation of the local sarpanch is illegal. Our fight against the project will continue.”

ORIGINAL

Subhashish Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, April 23: After Union Environment and Forest Minister, Jairam Ramesh cautioned the state government not to ignore the Palli Sabha resolutions passed by the gram sabhas in the POSCO project area, the government has sought a detailed and comprehensive report from the Jagatsinghpur district collector on the legality of the gram (Palli) sabhas held in the area.

The resolutions of these Palli sabhas have assumed importance in view of the controversy over the settlement of forests rights of the people in the project area.

The SC and ST development department’s additional secretary Sanjaeev Chadha said, “after complaints were received about the manner in which Palli Sabhas were held at the project site we have sent a letter to the collector to ascertain whether the palli Sabha was conducted according to the guidelines of the forest act. The report is expected to reach the State government within two to three days..”

Sources said department had also forwarded the letter of the union minister to the district collector. However, Jagatsingpur district collector Narayan Chandra Jena, who is on leave, said he would look into the government queries regarding Palli Sabha only after he joined on duty.

In his letter, the Union Minister Ramesh had said that “ignoring the Palli Sabha resolutions and not allowing them ( member of the Posco Pratirodha Sangram Samiti- an outfit raising voice against the proposed project) to be subjected to a due process of law as enshrined in the Forest Rights Act, 2006 would be tantamount, in my considered opinion, to violating the very essence of this legislation passed unanimously and with acclaim by Parliament.”

Sources said that at the behest of the Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti the local sarapanch of Dhinkia had called a meeting of the Palli Sabha on February 21 and February 23 to discuss the issue of forest diversion for the project. The Palli Sabha had passed a unanimous resolution opposing the forest diversion proposal. As per the Forest Rights 2006 Act- any proposal for the diversion of forest land had to be approved by the palli sabha.

Diversion of nearly 1253.225 acres of forest land is required for the Posco to set up its plant. The State government has already intimated the Centre there were no tribal or other traditional forest dwellers inhabit the area and can claim benefits under the Forest Rights Act. Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik and Forest Secretary Aurobinda Behera had also reiterated this stand of the government.

However protesting against the government’s move, the PPSS had shot off a letter to the Union Minister stating that an attempt was being made to stifle the voice of the local people and the Palli Sabha. PPSS convener Abhay Sahu said, “ the district collector will now try to mislead the State government stating that Palli Sabha held by the people on the invitation of the local sarapanch is illegal. Our fight against the project will continue.”