Congress Slams Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram Over Odisha Mining Protests; Flags Fraudulent Gram Sabha Consent Claims
मुख्य बातें
- •Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram over ongoing protests in southern Odisha against bauxite mining clearances.
- •Villagers in Balda and Banur villages allege that Kalinga Alumina Limited and district officials forged Gram Sabha consent signatures to divert forest land for mining.
- •No FIR has been registered despite villagers’ complaints to police, state, and central governments regarding the alleged forgery.
- •The protests highlight alleged violations of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, which requires Gram Sabha consent for forest land diversion.
The Congress party on June 2, 2026, sharply criticised the Union government over ongoing protests in southern Odisha, alleging that Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, who hails from the state, has failed to address the root causes of repeated agitations linked to bauxite mining clearances. The criticism came in a formal statement issued by Rajya Sabha MP and Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh on social media.
The protests in Koraput district have centred on allegations of fraudulent Gram Sabha (village council) meetings held by Adani-owned Kalinga Alumina Limited and local district officials to obtain consent for diverting forest land for bauxite mining. Residents of Balda and Banur villages have accused the company and officials of forging signatures of villagers who were not present during the meetings. Despite multiple complaints filed with police, the state government, and the central government, no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in connection with the alleged forgery, according to reports.
