A Gram Sabha was held on Tuesday at Murgabadi in Deojhar panchayat in Joda block for diversion of 360 hectares forestland to the Tatas’ Katamati iron ore mines.
The people supported the Tata company to operate the mines but wanted the company to fulfill their long outstanding demand of rehabilitation of the displaced families and take some measures on CSR front like repairing road, drinking water, education, ambulance and pollution control.
In this regard, they had also submitted a memorandum to the Collector, Keonjhar through welfare extensions officer, Joda Trilochan Das who conducted the gram sabha on behalf of PA (ITDA), Keonjhar.
Sources revealed that the Government of Odisha has already approved the lease extension of Tata’s Katamati mines up to March 31, 2030.
But approval is required as per the Forest Right Act, 2006.