Responding to the call for increased focus and effort on overall development of Kalahandi district, Mr Ajit Kumar Samal senior VP of Vedanta Aluminium Ltd said the company was committed to such activity in its area of operations.

Recently a citizen’s forum had organised a meeting on mining of Niyamgiri hills by Vedanta company.

Congress MP, Mr Bhakta Charan Das, a strong opponent of the project had addressed the gathering along with several other eminent personalities and activists.

Significantly, the meeting dealt with several demands including a comprehensive development plan for the district which, they said, ought to be implemented by VAL.

The forum desired that Vedanta should undertake a comprehensive development plan in the underdeveloped district ok Kalahandi as well as in the peripheral villages in the Lanjigarh project area.

On being asked about this, Mr Samal said that “Vedanta reiterates commitment to the development of the area with particular emphasis on the welfare of local tribes. This will be evident from a number of CSR initiatives that the company has undertaken in the field of healthcare, education and livelihood. Vedanta respects the views of the local forum and is happy to discuss with the forum on the specific development needs of the area.”

(Sourced from Statesman News Service)