Apropos the edit “Compensating the displaced” (July 6), the example of Tata Steel as a company with a good record of community service around its mining and steel-making operations is not appropriate. The group’s ostensible positive record is largely a myth and the result of smooth PR campaigning. The group has been involved in a number of controversial greenfield ventures across the country. In this context, the venture aimed at introducing aquaculture in Chilka lake, the steel project in Gopalpur and the titanium dioxide project in Tuticorin are glaring examples. Not to mention the police firing that killed tribals at Kalinganagar.
Most of, if not all, these project failed because of the Tata group’s dismal track record and performance in environment management and confidence-building in communities with which it plans to do business.
If one had to give examples of successful project implementation that takes local communities into consideration, then new generation companies like JSW, or even National Mineral Development Corporation, doing responsible mining in Chhattisgarh, would have served as better examples.
Ajoy K Das, on email
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