The Sundargarh Zila Adivasi Bachao Manch on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the Rourkela ADM opposing the proposal to upgrade the Rourkela Municipality into a municipal corporation.
Hundreds of tribals took out a protest rally from Bisra Chowk and Panposh Chowk and attended a meeting addressed by noted social activist Swami Agnivesh before submission of the memorandum. In his speech, Swami Agnivesh said though Sundargarh district is declared as a scheduled area yet the tribals have been deprived of their basic rights.
“While the Rourkela Steel Plant, Rajgangpur Cement Factory, Basundhara Coal Mines, Adhinik Mettaliks in Kuramunda, lime stone mines at Purunapani, iron ore and other minerals mines at Tens, Koira, Barsian, Kalt are operating in the district, it is disappointing that tribals have not got employment in these units,” he said.
Agnivesh questioned the State Government’s efforts to upgrade the municipality into a corporation while the RSP displaced tribal families are yet to get jobs in the Central PSU.
He also advised Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram to raise his voice in Delhi to protect the interests of tribals of the district. Villagers of Jalda, Jhirpani, Jagda, Kalunga and Chikatmati gram panchayats joined the rally. It may be noted that residents of these areas have been opposing their inclusion in the proposed Rourkela Municipal Corporation from the beginning. Meanwhile, administration source informed that alternate areas have been identified for inclusion in the proposed corporation area.