A delegation of project-affected people on Wednesday urged Vedanta Aluminium CEO Abhijit Pati to continue with the operations at the lanjigarh alumina refinery and explore all possible options to avoid closure of the refinery as it would result in catastrophic consequences for the region.
They too handed over a petition to him in this regard.
The representatives expressed concern over the future of ongoing CSR projects such as Vedanta DAV International School and Vedanta Hospital through which hundreds of first generation tribal, students and thousands of other people are getting benefits.
They also apprehended that closure of the plant would severely affect livelihoods of more than 10,000 workers and drag the region back to the dark old days of poverty, ill- health and migration as bonded labourers.
They also assured to extend all possible cooperation to the CEO and the company. Community leaders said that they would go to any extent including taking up the matter with the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister so that the company gets bauxite from Niyamgiri for its operations.
In return, Pati told them that company is exploring all possible options to keep the plant afloat and has urged the Government to quickly resolve the bauxite issue. But he warned that amidst global aluminium crisis, if quick and urgent relief does not come through, the company would be forced to close down. The refinery is currently making a staggering loss of `3 crores per day, he informed.
After the Vedanta limited announced its decision to gradually shutdown the refinery, locals have been rallying for continuation of the plant operations and raw material supply to the refinery. A series of bandhs, petitioning, rallies have already been organised by locals. They have also approached the Chief Minister to resolve the issue.