Rayagada: A massive rally was carried out in support of bauxite mining proposed by Vedant company in Odisha’s Rayagada district on Friday.
Thousands of people along with pro-mine activists participated in at Kasipur in the district to express their support for mining of the bauxite ore. After going around the town, they submitted memoranda to SP and additional tehsildar separately favouring mining by the company.
Speaking to the media on the sideline of the rally, they said the people opposing the mining wre putting road blocks on development of the area. The mining activities will not only generate employment to a larger number of youths but also stop migration from the region, they added.
A public hearing on the bauxite mining is scheduled to be held at Thuamularampur of Kalahandi district and also at Sunger in Rayagada simultaneously on October 16. Vedanta has proposed for mining of 9 MTPA bauxite in 1549.02 hectare in Sijimali in Rayagada.
The villagers of Kantamala, Bandel and Sarambai, which will be affected by the mining, attended the rally to express their support for the company in the public hearing.