Jena Urges Odisha MPs to Safeguard Tribal Rights from ‘Mining Syndicate’

Bhubaneswar, April 4: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Srikant Jena has called upon Members of Parliament (MPs) from Odisha to take urgent action to protect the rights of tribal communities, alleging that a powerful “mining syndicate” is systematically undermining the constitutional and democratic rights of forest dwellers in the state.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to the MPs, Jena raised serious concerns about the exploitation of tribal populations in the wake of ongoing mining operations, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions. He alleged that mining interests linked to corporate giants like Vedanta and Adani are being prioritized at the expense of local communities.

Referring to widespread protests in Sijimali (Rayagada and Kalahandi) and Nandapur (Koraput) against proposed bauxite mining projects, and similar unrest in Hemgir (Sundargarh) and Angul over coal mining, Jena claimed that the state administration is misusing its power to suppress dissent and secure environmental clearances through fraudulent Gram Sabha proceedings.

“These fabricated reports and monetary manipulations are not only illegal but also a gross violation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA),” he stated. Jena highlighted that the Supreme Court’s 2013 ruling in the Orissa Mining Corporation vs. MoEF case clearly mandates free, prior, and informed consent from tribal communities before any such projects are approved.

Despite villagers reportedly rejecting several mining projects, Jena alleged that the government has continued to push for environmental clearances based on manipulated reports. “This is nothing short of misleading the Assembly and the public,” he said, citing a recent unstarred question in the Odisha Assembly acknowledging that Gram Sabha reports were still pending.

The former Union Minister lamented the irony that although Odisha contributes 50 percent of India’s mineral production, its own people, especially tribals and Dalits, continue to live in poverty. He accused large corporations of reaping profits through forced displacement, environmental degradation, and increasing unemployment in the region.

Jena also criticized the government for failing to implement PESA in Odisha and not enforcing Supreme Court orders dated July 25 and August 14, 2024, which mandated cess and taxes on mineral production. He claimed this has cost the state nearly ₹2 lakh crore annually, along with ₹1.5 lakh crore in retrospective dues.

He urged MPs from Odisha to raise this issue in Parliament and ensure justice for the state’s marginalized communities, asserting that collective parliamentary action is essential to check the alleged corporate takeover of governance and restore democratic accountability in the state’s mineral-rich zones.