Kalahandi Residents Urge Odisha CM to Intervene for Permanence of Bauxite Mines for Vedanta’s Lanjigarh Plant

Residents of Kalahandi district in Odisha gathered in a rally in Bhubaneswar to demand immediate action to allocate permanent bauxite mines for the Vedanta plant in Lanjigarh. They sought the intervention of Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi to ensure an uninterrupted supply of bauxite, which has been a major concern for the plant’s operation. The protesters believed that a well-functioning plant would boost the socio-economic growth and development of the tribal-dominated district. A large number of locals participated in the rally, including representatives from various organizations and political leaders. They submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Collector and District Magistrate of Kalahandi and the Block Development Officer. The memorandum highlighted the importance of the Vedanta plant in the region and the need for a permanent source of raw material (bauxite) to ensure its continued operation. It also mentioned that other companies have been unable to establish plants in the region despite securing bauxite mines, leading to concerns about the impact on livelihoods and the economy.