Prashant Bhushan criticised Govt for “ Corporate Raj “ - urged to cap on mining

By Bijay Mishra 
Bhubaneswar, 09-9-23

Sr Advocate Mr Prashant Bhushan while heavily criticised the Odisha State & Union Govt for “ Corporate Raj “ urged the Govt to cap on mining in Odisha, keeping in mind the limited reserves of the mineral. Addressing a huge public meeting at Puri in  the  leadership of veteran social activist and Congress Leader Mr Uma Ballva Ratha , Mr Bhushan told that farmers are the worst sufferers of forcible land acquisition for iron ore and coal mining in Odisha . He told that the malafide intentions of the Govt has been exposed in the SC verdict on Vedanta University case of Puri . The Govt had done all efforts to hand over around 1000acre of land from Puri to Vedanta for a University, which has not done even a primary school. He told that forcible land acquisition for mines and industries will be opposed in all level . 

Mr Bhushan, who fought the case in SC , was  welcomed by people including, political leaders & Activists . PCC President  Sarat Pattanaik , Congress leader Niranjan Pattanaik, Sashmita Behera , Jagarnath Pattanaik, Prasad Harichandan  & Panchanan Kanungo congratulated  Mr Bhushan  and lauded his efforts. 

Presiding over the meeting, Mr Uma Ballva Ratha , the activist who fought the ground war at grass root level against the mighty “ Vedanta “ and subsequently took the matter to the SC , congratulated Mr Bhushan for his efforts to take justice to people.He elaborated the SC judgement on Vedanta issue and demanded that Government most immediately return land to farmers as per the order of the apex court . He told that farmers and representatives of people’s organisations fighting against various corporates for land , forest & water from all over Odisha are now united to fight back the “ Corporate Raj “. 

Addressing the meeting , Mr Prafulla Samantaray, President Lokashakti Abhiyan elaborated the oppressive activities of the State Govt to hand over land , forest and water resources to private companies . 

 Veteran Activist Medha Patekar told that “ innocent poor people of Odisha are now victims of the “Corporate Raj “ . Indiscriminate handover of vast Natural resources of the State caused  climate disaster .

PCC President Mr Sarat Pattanaik told that , Congress Party is strongly opposing the “ Corporate Raj “ in the State . Mr Niranjan Pattanaik criticised the BJP -BJD Government for facilitating corporates  to destroy nature . 

Among others the meeting was attended by Ex -Union Minister Bhajman Behera , Sarvodaya leader Krishna Mohanty, Bijay Parida & Tapan Mishra .
Social Activist Devi Prasad Prusty coordinated the program. 

Earlier thousands of  local people ,  affected villagers of various projects of the State took the guests in an impressive procession to the meeting place . 

The program of Mr Prashant Bhushan & Medha Patekar has united the industry & mines affected people of the State and strengthened the farmers opinion against the Govt.