CBA to protest Centre's proposed coal ordinance

A state-level convention to protest the Centre's proposed ordinance in coal sector and deliberate upon various coal-mining related issues will be organised by Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan (CBA) on December 23.
The convention, to be held at Bilaspur district headquarters, would see participants from various peoples' movements, trade unions and mass organisations working in Chhattisgarh.
CBA is an alliance of various mass organisations in the state.
"The proposed coal ordinance not only opens up the coal sector for rapid exploitation by allowing commercial mining and sale, but also attempts to make a mockery of due processes of environment clearance, forest clearances, gram sabha consents etc," CBA convener Alok Shukla alleged while talking to PTI.

It has numerous anti-people provisions like lower compensation and rehabilitation package and hefty penalties on any opposition to mining projects, he said.
It is clear that the government is willing to sacrifice our valuable natural resources, fragile environment, lives and livelihoods of poor adivasis (tribals) and farmers at the altar of narrow profits, Shukla further alleged.
Moreover, it will have a significant impact on Chhattisgarh, which is a mineral rich state and has a majority of adivasis and dalits, marginal farmer population and a pristine natural environment, he said.
"Keeping in view all the things, we have decided to hold this convention to register our protest in this regard. Besides, the issues of mines allocation, displacement, pollution, environmental impact, labour rights and others will also be discussed during the programme," he added.