Even as the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Orissa discusses with the Left parties on sharing of seats for the ensuing simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, uncertainty surrounds the future of mega industrial projects here in the event of the Left becoming a part of the ruling alliance in the state after the polls. The state unit of CPM has clarified its stand on the issue stating that it would continue to oppose the allotment of mining lease to companies like Posco and Vedanta Aluminium.
“As of now, we are thinking of a seat sharing arrangement with the BJD and there is a little possibility of the CPI (M) being a part of the ruling coalition. However, if our party becomes a part of the ruling alliance in the state, then we would oppose the allotment of mining lease to companies like Posco and urge that these companies should purchase the minerals at market rates”, said Janardan Pati, secretary general, CPI (M)-Orissa.
“While we are not opposed to industrialisation per se, we are demanding that Orissa’s precious mineral reserves should not be offered on lease to companies like Posco and Vedanta Aluminium”, he added. On the CPI (M)’s standpoint on large scale rehabilitation by the mega industrial projects, Pati said, “Our stand is that all the affected families need to be rehabilitated first before any mega project becomes operational.”
He warned that the CPI (M) would take a strong exception to the acquisition of farm land for industrialisation and development barring exceptional circumstances. Diwakar Naik, state secretary, CPI, said, “As of now, we are only thinking of a seat sharing arrangement with the BJD ahead of the Assembly elections in Orissa. However, in the event of a post- electoral alliance with the BJD, our party would continue to oppose the Posco project on the grounds of acquisition of fertile land for the project, allotment of mining lease to Posco and also the company’s proposal to build a captive port.”
CPI would also continue its opposition against the allotment of bauxite reserves to Vedanta Aluminium and also the company’s plan to develop a university project in Orissa on about 6,000 acres of land, he added. Asked if the CPI would seek a change in rehabilitation and resettlement policy of the Orissa government, Naik said, “We will take a decision on this matter if our party becomes a part of the ruling alliance after the Assembly polls.”