By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, Ocobter 27, 2015 : Odisha government is once again contemplating to revive the jinxed bauxite mining project at Niyamgiri near Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district through its managed Odisha Mining Corporation [OMC].

The state government is exploring the possibility of holding grama sabhas once again hoping that the tribals would change their opinion. In earlier Gram Sabhas, the tribals had rejected a proposal to mine bauxite at Niyamgiri to feed the o
ne million ton alukna refinery of Vedanta Aluminium Limited [VAL].

Since mining in Niyamgiri requires approval of the Supreme Court, the steel and mines department is understood to have sought legal advice on the matter. Officials indicated that the state government could approach the Supreme Court and the union ministry of environment and forest [MoEF] based on the recommendations of legal experts.

Odisha Mines minister Prafulla Mallick said, “As earlier the Gramsabhas were conducted with approval from Supreme Court, we are now seeking legal advice on whether we should approach the apex court or the Union Forest & Environment ministry to conduct the Gramsabhas again.”

However, it would be an uphill task on the part of the State government to get an approval from the concerned authorities and the court.