Dalmia Group’s Public Hearing to Get Land Acquisition Nod in Sundargarh a ‘Hoax’

The Odisha government is riding high on its development agenda, so much so that it is terming the tribal population living in the area as “Vikas Virodhi”. This is happening even as the tribals are staking their claims on the land where they have lived and worked on for centuries.

Rashmi, an independent activist working in the ground in Sundargarh, said “OCL ke factory main party chal rahi hai, aur aam logon ki koi sunwai nahi (There is party going on in the OCL factory, not a hearing for the common people)”. She said that this was the third arbitrary attempt to conduct a public hearing which has stirred a storm in the state.

Rajgangpur town-based cement producer OCL India Ltd. - the flagship company of Dalmia Cement Bharat Ltd. (DCBL) - seeks to invest over Rs. 2,000 crore in the region, expanding its footprint across nine districts in the state. A public hearing deemed by the locals as “a mere eyewash” was conducted on October 3, despite repeated attempts being made by the locals to ensure that the hearing does not take place. Previously NewsClick had reported that the locals felt that they may lose their land once the public hearing takes place. The sentiment on the ground was strengthened after the local administration and the state government working hand in glove with the Dalmia group, blatantly flouted the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 [PESA], sidelining the interests of the locals to benefit the corporates.

TRIBALS STAGE ROAD BLOCKADE

On the day of the hearing, the tribals in a massive show of strength protested against the arbitrary public hearing by staging a road blockade for over 16 hours. The blockade was conducted on the lines of the Biju Expressway and the state highway. Explaining the situation on the ground, Sudarshan Chottaray, a local journalist said, “The tribals opposing the cement maker OCL’s expansion are still protesting. Even then, in a questionable public hearing, memorandums were submitted and almost a clearance has been now offered to the Dalmia group for the expansion.” He added, “The public  hearing was conducted almost in the middle of the road, right next to Dalmia’s industrial training site (DITI).”

Rashmi Ekka explained to NewsClick, “Outsiders were called in by the government for the public hearing. They made all attempts to ensure that the opposing people get silenced by conducting the hearing in the middle of the road. They wanted to ensure that none of us participate and now they hope to conveniently give Dalmia a go ahead.”

OVER 50,000 TRIBALS TO LOSE LAND

OCL’s no holds barred approach to acquire the land would mean that over 50,000 tribals would lose their land and livelihood. MLA from Sundargarh George Tirkey said, “The land is over 2,000 acres, spanning over five panchayats.” Despite the dire implications of the land acquisition, the state government is ensuring that the tribals don’t get their due. OCL’s ambitious plan is to increase its cement and clinker production capacities to 6.25 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and 5.9 MTPA, respectively, by 2019. If this plan is executed, then the tribals who are heavily dependent on forest dwelling would be compelled to become wage workers. A bigger fear of not being compensated adequately and the land they hold dear looms large.

Ekka highlighted how the media discourse was also being turned against the tribals. “During the public hearing that was scheduled for October 3, some outsiders were called in to report that this is a victory for OCL and the protestors are obstructionists. A deliberate attempt is being made to create a narrative about us and build pressure on us to give away our land to Dalmia.”

Despite mounting repression from the Biju Janata Dal-ruled Odisha government, the locals have pledged that they will not back down. Ekka said, “Iss dhokha dhadi ko hum nahi chalne denge, hum ladenge (We will not  let this deception to continue, we will fight).” With the Dalmia group claiming that they have not acquired a clearance post the public hearing, the situation on the ground is likely to intensify with the locals doing all they can to save their land from corporate expansion.