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Join hands to launch campaign against ‘mindless’ industrialisation

BHUBANESWAR: In search of an ‘alternative model of development, policy and politics’, several hundreds people from different corners of Orissa gathered and denounced ‘mindless industrialisation’ being pursued by State government here on Saturday.

Anti-displacement movement groups, people protesting fast industrialisation at their own level and organisations supporting community owned natural resources joined hands to build up agitations against present economic policies of State government.

As per the eight-point declaration, the organisations will work towards building up public opinion against irrational use of natural resources such as mineral, forest and water and influence international monetary agencies on state’s policies. Speaking at the convention, former Lok Sabha speaker Rabi Ray said, “voices of common masses are now gradually losing its significance. Though people are the natural owner of the resources, they have been living on for years, they are never consulted over the type developments taking shape around them.” Mr. Ray called upon people to strengthen the bond among them to combat multinational companies taking control over their resources. Social activist Prafulla Samantara said, “rapid industrialisation is against interest of the state. People at helm of the affairs are out to exhaust the sources within 50 years to 60 years, which is a criminal act. This process cannot be allowed to go on.” The State government would earn insignificantly while bulk of the profits would be going to multinational, Mr. Samantara said. Similarly, farmer leader Lingaraj said people’s right on natural resources such as water was foremost and there should be movements to defend the rights. Leaders decided to work towards strengthening the link among organisations of same ideology.

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