With the Nalco agreeing to take up massive CSR activities in the State, the Odisha Government has allowed renewal of the mining lease of Panchapatmali bauxite mines to be valid till March 31, 2020.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik allowed the first renewal of Panchpatmali (Central and North block) bauxite mine over an area of 1,313.363 hectares in Koraput district on October 9 last, said official sources.
As Nalco approached for renewal of Panchapatmali mines, the State Government asked to submit follow up action on commitments made on CSR and relief and rehabilitation (RR) activities.
The State Government also asked to submit a status report on both CSR and RR activities, which the PSU presented to the Government.
Nalco in its RR activities report said that 32 out of 235 substantially affected persons having ITI and BA qualifications would be immediately considered for employment and they will be put on Skill Up-gradation Practical Training (SUPT). After completion of training they will be placed as Junior Operator Trainees (JOT).
Fifty-three out of 235 substantially affected persons having +10 qualification will be immediately sent to ITI training and the Nalco will bear the cost and after the completion of course they will be put to SUPT and after completion of training they will be put as JOT.
Thirty persons having Class VIII and IX qualification will be sent for Matriculation or ITI courses and cost will be borne by the company and later, they will be put as JOT after skill development training is over.
Remaining 120 persons, who are not having any qualifications, will be offered monetary compensation of `2.25 lakh to `15 lakh as earlier agreed in lieu of employment.
They will be also sent for Matriculation or ITI and when they complete during next 10 years, they will be given employment.
Nalco has not only committed to take up CSR activities as per the stipulated norms, but also its CMD agreed to spend Rs 300 crore towards visible CSR projects in Damanjodi and Angul.
So far as RR issues are concerned, Nalco agreed that the heads of mining and refinery based at Damanjodi will discuss with the Collector Koraput and accordingly necessary action will be taken.
RPDAC meeting will be convened to settle the pending issues, agreed the CMD.
Nalco is running open cast mining on the hills of Panchpatmali since 1985 to feed its alumina refinery at Damanjoidi. After completion of 30 years period, the company had applied for renewal of mines, but due to various factors it was delayed.
Now with the Chief Minister’s clearance, Nalco will have a smooth sailing of its mines till 2020, said a senior official in the Department of Steel and Mines.
Nalco will execute a Supplementary lease deed agreement with the State Government soon in this regard.