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Although “no-go area” has ceased to exist, trouble has yet not ended for Mahan Coal Ltd in Madhya Pradesh. The company, which is seeking stage-II forest clearance, is now facing an inquiry regarding alleged tampering of the Gram Sabha resolution to obtain necessary stage-I clearance. The state government has decided to re-convene Gram Sabha next month.
Mahan Coal Ltd, a joint venture between Aditya Birla Group promoted Hindalco and Essar Power is seeking a mining lease agreement with the government of Madhya Pradesh.
The allocation of coal is for Essar Power’s 1,200 MW independent power project and Hindalco’s aluminum smelter project with a captive power plant of 900 MW. The Union Ministry of Coal allocated Mahan Coal block jointly to Essar Power and Hindalco Industries, with the ratio of coal being 60:40 respectively, on 12 April 2006.
The district collector, who also holds magisterial powers, is awaiting findings of the inquiry report following allegations, including forging signature of some dead people, made by Greenpeace India.
“We will convene Gram Sabha again, once findings of report come to us in the case,” M Selvendran, district collector Singrauli told BS, “And the government will go by Gram Sabha decision.”
A Gram Sabha under Panchayti Raj Act holds veto powers in approval of plans, programmes and projects for social and economic development.
Greenpeace had last year alleged that on August 15, 2012 villagers of two villages Amelia and Budher villages came together at their respective Gram Sabhas to pass a resolution on “community forest rights” which according to Greenpeace was tempered and officials included names of some dead people.
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) granted stage-I clearance for Mahan coal block during 2012 but had put 36 conditions which includes implementation of Forest Rights Act.
Greenpeace India, under aegis of Mahan Sangharsh Samiti had also demanded immediate release of one Bechanlal who is in jail and facing trial. The Greenpeace India has said Bechanlal was protesting enumeration process peacefully, which is not a crime.
“An FIR was lodged against some people and they were presented before district judge. Three of them were granted bail but one Bechanlal is still in Jain as he has been found convicted in another case, only High court can decided on him,” Selvendran further said.
A group of villagers protested the enumeration and survey process launched by state forest department. The protest reached an intensifying degree in which villagers allegedly snatched away instruments from forest officials. “The police have proves that they had snatched away instruments from the officials,” Selvendran further clarified.
Greenpeace has demanded the government to drop the charges against Bechanlal.
There are 9 continuous coal blocks in that area; and Mahan is one of them. Total area under these coal blocks is 20,456 hectares. Mahan accounts for five percent of that area.
Stage-II forest clearance for the block is yet pending. In a separate case, state government has recently told National Green Tribunal that it would not cut trees before October 2014.
According to Mahan Coal Ltd sources Essar Power has made an investment of Rs 7,300 crore. While Hindalco’s has commenced operations and the investment incurred so far is around Rs 12,500 crore. Mahan Coal Ltd officials did not respond in the matter.
