Last Updated: 29th January 2014 08:53 AM

Member of the CPI (M) politburo Brinda Karat on Tuesday reiterated the demand for nationalisation of natural resources and said the rights on the mineral resources in the State should be vested in tribals for their development.

Though tribals and indigenous communities have been demanding their rights to the mineral wealth often found under the land they own or  have traditional rights to, they have been historically denied even a share of that huge wealth, Karat said while addressing a rally of Adivasi Adhikar Rashtriya Manch at PMG square here.

“We demand that rights on mineral resources, forests, land and water should be vested in tribals,” said the CPM leader.

Referring to the Justice Shah Commission’s report which has severely indicted the State and Central Governments for their patronage to the miners to loot the minerals, Opposing the Posco project, she said it is against the interest of State. Justifying the agitation by the local people against the project, the CPM leader made a scathing attack on the Centre for granting clearance to the project in a phased manner.

She termed the Supreme Court’s rejection of Vedanta’s proposal to mine the Niyamigiri hills as a victory of the tribals.

Stating that Congress and BJP are engaged in a slanging match ahead of the general elections, Karat said none of the two parties will have majority to form Government at Centre.

State CPM Secretary Janardan Pati said that handing over mines to private corporate houses for industrialisation has severely impacted  the livelihoods of the tribals.

 

Read more here — http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Rights-on-Minerals-Should-be-Vested-in-Tribals/2014/01/29/article2025911.ece

 

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