The Congress on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) criticised the Union government over sustained protests in southern Odisha against clearances granted for bauxite mining, saying Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, who is from the State, should be concerned about why the region is witnessing repeated agitations. In a statement on social media, Rajya Sabha MP and Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh referred to the ongoing agitation in Koraput district, where residents of Balda and Banur villages have accused the Adani-owned Kalinga Alumina Limited and district officials of colluding to hold fraudulent Gram Sabhas consenting to the diversion of forest land for bauxite mining. The villagers of Balda and Banur have alleged that despite complaints to the police, the State government and the Union government, no FIR has been registered over the alleged forging of signatures of villagers who were not present at the Gram Sabha meeting to obtain consent for mining in the Balda hill area, as reported by The Hindu. Similar allegations have surfaced regarding the Gram Sabha consent purportedly obtained for the Sijimali mine in the neighbouring district. In his statement, Mr. Ramesh said, “Kalinga Alumina Ltd. has, of course, impeccable credentials: it is part of the vast and ever-expanding Modani empire.” The Congress leader added, “The Union Minister of Tribal Affairs is responsible for the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, both in letter and spirit. He himself is from Odisha. Surely, he should be concerned about these protests and why they are taking place in different parts of the State.”
Published - June 02, 2026 07:36 pm IST