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Protecting the rights of tribals

Recently, Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA), an Emirati investor, initiated an investment treaty arbitration (ITA) claim against India under the India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), seeking compensation of $44.71 million. This claim arose after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Andhra Pradesh and RAKIA to supply bauxite to Anrak Aluminum Limited, in which RAKIA has 13% shareholding, was cancelled, allegedly due to the concerns of the tribal population in those areas. Read more

Courtesy: The Hindu

State Level Consultation – Kolkata

State level workshop on Children and Mining, Illegal Mining, DMF and PESA was conducted at Kolkata, West Bengal. The meeting was presided over by the Chairperson and Secretary General of mm&P. The Chairperson introduced the theme of the workshop and why children’s rights should not be neglected especially in the mining areas.

There were discussions on the overview of mining throughout the country, various stages of mining, illegal mining, Samata Judgement, prospects of Tribal Cooperatives and the need for lobbying at National Level regarding Child Rights as they are being violated. There were discussions on the situation of children in mining areas as it has three aspects to it. Firstly, children (Child Labour) engaged in a hazardous industry. Secondly, those children who are not working in the mines but are living there and thirdly parents of the children who work in the mines. In all these aspects, the rights of the child get undermined.

In the consultation at West Bengal, there were elaborative discussions on illegal coal mining in Raniganj, Asansol and its present scenario. There were also discussions on the Rampal Thermal Power Plant at Sunderban and its impact on the local communities, etc.

A short documentary film “Falling through the cracks – Children and Mining” was screened and followed by a detailed session on the plight of children in mining areas by the Secretary-General of mm&P. Participatory approach was followed in sensitizing the people on violation of child rights in the context of Children in mining areas.

Much-needed respite for granite industry

Ongole: The decision of government of Andhra Pradesh to reduce the rate of collection of district mineral fund from 30 percent to 12.5 percent is going to help the galaxy granite industry which is facing a hard time in the state for the past few months.

It is a regular practice to the government to revise the royalty for the minerals for every three years. In September 2015, the government enhanced the royalty for granite for 25 percent, which became a burden for the granite industry.

At the same time, the central government proposed all the states to constitute District Mineral Foundation to take up various programs for overall development of the persons and the area whose ecology has been degraded by the rampant mining. Read More

Courtesy: The Hans India

District Level Consultation – Makrana

District level workshop on Children and Mining, Illegal Mining, DMF and PESA was conducted at Makarana, Rajasthan. The meeting was presided over by the Secretary General of mm&P. The Secretary General introduced the theme of the workshop and why children’s rights should not be neglected especially in the mining areas.

A short documentary film “Falling through the cracks – Children and Mining” was screened and followed by a detailed session on the plight of children in mining areas by the Secretary-General of mm&P. Participatory approach was followed in sensitizing the people on violation of child rights in the context of Children in mining areas.

One issue that was prominently discussed was the plight of migrant laborers especially women and children. Most of the CSR or development activities by the mining company or the administration do not take into account the migrant population. These are the most marginalized groups who find it hard to understand the reasons for discrimination at all levels of our society. Some raised concern about scattered movements across the state which could be one of the reasons for lack of interest on the part of the mine owners and the administration. A collective and coordinated discussion might improve the situation.

In the consultation at Makarana, a very important point was raised about collectively having a dialogue with the mine owners for a more democratic way forward.

पारंपरिक हथियारों के साथ ग्रामीणों का प्रदर्शन

रांची : अनुसूचित क्षेत्रों में फर्जी ग्राम सभा द्वारा जमीन अधिग्रहण किए जाने के खिलाफ रविवार को बिरसा चौक के पास आदिवासी बुद्धिजीवी मंच के नेतृत्व में ग्राम प्रधानों ने धरना दिया। धरने में ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों से काफी लोग पारंपरिक हथियारों के साथ आए।

ग्रामीणों ने केंद्रीय कानून पी-पेसा 1996 की धारा 4 एम के आलोक में अनुसूचित क्षेत्रों में अपवादों और उपांतरणों के अधीन कुल सात शक्तियों के साथ विशेष ग्राम सभा स्थापित करने व सुप्रीम कोर्ट के द्वारा पारित समता जजमेंट 1997 के अनुसार आगामी ग्लोबल समिट का आयोजन अनुसूचित जनजातियों के हित में नहीं करने की मांग की।वक्ताओं ने कहा कि अनुसूचित क्षेत्रों में फर्जी ग्राम सभा के द्वारा अनुसूचित जन जातियों की जमीन का अधिग्रहण कर पूंजीपतियों और उद्योगपतियों को हस्तांतरित किया जा रहा है, जबकि पी-पेसा कानून के तहत आज तक ग्राम सभा की स्थापना आज तक नहीं हुई। साथ ही पी-पेसा कानून 1996 और समता जजमेंट 1997 के प्रावधानों का भी उल्लघंन है। फिर भी दोनों कानूनों के प्रावधानों में झारखंड विधानसभा में संशोधन कर दिया गया। जिसके कारण पूरे राज्य में अशांति और सामाजिक आक्रोश उत्पन्न हो गया है। मौके पर मंच के अध्यक्ष पीसी मुर्मू, वाल्टर भेंगरा, हिलारियुस सहित लातेहार, हजारीबाग, खूंटी, सिमडेगा, गुमला, तमाड़, बंदगांव, बेड़ो, कोलेबिरा, तोरपा सहित अन्य क्षेत्रों से आए ग्रामीण सैकड़ों की संख्या में उपस्थित थे।

Courtesy: Dainik Jagran

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