Naveen extends support for Vedanta projects

BHUBANESWAR: Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday extended support to the Vedanta group for all its projects, days after the adverse remarks by a central committee over its proposed mining project at Niyamgiri in Kalahandi district.

"On behalf of the government of Orissa, I give my assurance to extend the necessary support for all its (Vedanta) projects," Patnaik told a public meeting held on the ocassion of commissioning of Sterilite Enegrgy Limited (SIL)'s IPP at Jharsuguda.

The N C Saxena Committee set up by the Centre had criticised the company's proposed mining project at the ecologically fragile Niyamgiri Hills.

Patnaik hoped Vedanta will fulfill its commitment to set up an aluminium park and stimulate the growth of other downstream industries in Jharsuguda area which would emerge as one of the largest industrial hubs of Orissa.

"I am happy that Vedanta has taken the lead in this direction and has generated considerable direct and indirect employment for a large number of people in the vicinity of Jharsuguda," Patnaik said.

Patnaik asked the corporate house to be extremely cautious in handling human displacement with appropriate compensation along with creation of scope for sustainable development.

"It is in this context that the importance of peripheral development and corporate social responsibility are crucial. Industry, to have a lasting and significant impact, must have a human face to it," he said.

Patnaik said "growing environment pollution has been a major cause for concern worldwide."