The Hindu : National : CPI welcomes cancellation of Bayyaram land for mining

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National

CPI welcomes cancellation of Bayyaram land for mining

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India on Friday welcomed the decision of the Centre to cancel the prospecting reservation of approximately 1,41,000 acres of land for iron ore exploration at Bayyaram, in Khammam district of Andhra Pradesh and express satisfaction to refuse bauxite mining permission to Vedanta in Orissa.

“Forty per cent of this so-called reserved land has got houses, villages and roads used by public. It was a loot of natural resources. Hence the people protested. The decision of the Government of India is a victory for people. This temporary cancellation on technical grounds should be permanent ban on privatisation of natural resources”, the party Deputy General Secretary S. Sudhakar Reddy said in a statement here.

CPI had organised struggles demanding the cancellation of prospective reservation of 56,690 hectares (approximately 1,41,000 acres) of land for iron one exploration in Nelakondapalli Garia mandal in the district, since hundreds of habitations were to be evacuated and so people protested.

It said that the Centre had on December 25, 2009 ordered that these lands to Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation be reserved but the A P State government had selected and issued an order to Rakshana steels consortium on February 24, 2009, ten months before being given reservation.

Vedanta issue

While expressing satisfaction over Vedanta decision,

Mr. Reddy said it was surprising to note the positive attitude of the Prime Minister to South Korean steel makers POSCO in Orissa where people are agitating against the extension of plant to villages and threatening environment.

He said if similar decision is not extended to POSCO in Orissa then the announcement of Rahul Gandhi to support Dongria and Kardh tribals near Niyamgiril hills would look as “stage managed”.

“People are intelligent enough to understand who is fighting for their rights and which party's governments are working for the interests of corporate houses, mines and multi-national corporations”, the statement said.

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