Mining – India
1. UCIL plea to unions to end protest, begin talks
2. Two officials of private mining company shot dead
3. JSW to invest INR 1500 crore in coal mining operations
4. Abroad coal mine buys to ensure smooth supply’
5. India industrial output surges
Mining – International
6. Fortescue Approves A$360 Million Ore Mine Expansion
7. China mine owners flee after accident kills 14: report
8. Chinese company asked to resubmit bid for Australian coal mining company
9. Zijin Mining to buy 12.8pct stake in Canadian Continental Minerals
10. BHP Says Merrill Lynch Helping With Study of Ravensthorpe Mine
Other News
11. Bangkok climate meet ends in despair. Is it the end of Kyoto process?
12. Government distributes forestland amongst tribals in Orissa
13. Near Lucknow, people with no NREGS job find they were ‘paid’
14. Tarannum Manjul 13
15. No land rights yet even for single applicant
Mining – India
SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
12 September 2009
‘GUILTY’: UK government blasts Vedanta in unprecedented attack
- Government demands a ‘change in the company’s behaviour’.
The UK government has attacked Vedanta's
treatment of the Dongria Kondh. ©Survival
The UK government today blasted FTSE-100 company Vedanta Resources over its treatment of the Dongria Kondh tribe in Orissa, India.
The damning verdict came after a nine month investigation into a complaint submitted bySurvival International against Vedanta’s proposed bauxite mine on the Dongria Kondh’s sacred mountain. The complaint, upheld by the government, was brought under the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises – the key principles for ethical corporate behaviour.
In an unprecedented attack on a major British company, the government ruled that Vedanta, ‘did not respect the rights of the Dongria Kondh’; ‘did not consider the impact of the construction of the mine on the [tribe’s] rights’; and ‘failed to put in place an adequate and timely consultation mechanism’. Devastatingly, it concluded, ‘A change in the company's behaviour' is ‘essential’.
Astonishingly, despite repeated requests from the UK government, the company ‘failed to provide any evidence during the examination’. This is the only time a company has refused to participate in an OECD investigation.
Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy has said, ‘If Vedanta is allowed to go ahead with its plans for mining the Niyamgiri Hills in Orissa for bauxite it will lead to the devastation of a whole ecosystem, and the destruction of not just the Dongria Kondh tribal community, but eventually all those whose livelihoods depend on that ecosystem.’
Martin Horwood MP, Chair of the All-Party Group for Tribal Peoples, said today, ‘I am delighted that the UK government has issued this damning verdict on Vedanta. This is further powerful evidence that Vedanta must fundamentally change the way it operates.’
Survival’s director Stephen Corry said today, ‘We’re very pleased that the UK government has finally taken a stand on this – it’s already one of the most notorious mining projects in the world. Vedanta failed even to inform the Dongria Kondh that it plans to turn their sacred mountain into a vast open-pit mine, yet the tribe has the right under international law to give – or withhold – their consent. This is, after all, something which will have a dramatic, terrible impact on their lives.’
The ruling is the third major embarrassment in five months for Anil Argarwal (majority owner of Vedanta): in June an environmental award was withheld at the last minute when details of the Orissa mine were brought to the jury’s attention; and in August India’s Environment Minister admitted that the project should never have been approved.
Vedanta’s proposed mine site is sacred to all Kondh people, hundreds of whom have been engaged in months of protests and blockades against the mine.
Full text of the government’s statement is available here
Full text of Survival’s complaint is available here
British actress Joanna Lumley has narrated a short film, ‘Mine’, about the Dongria Kondh’s struggle.
To read this story online: http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/4980
UCIL plea to unions to end protest, begin talks
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Jamshedpur, Oct. 11: The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) management today issued an appeal to its unions to keep any agitation in abeyance for a month and begin negotiations to resolve outstanding issues including guaranteed benefits.
The company issued the appeal late this evening to all the four unions, including the Intuc-affiliated UCIL Labour Union. But none of the unions received the letter and decided to continue with the strike. Today was the fourth day of the strike.
“We have asked the unions to keep their agitation in abeyance so that normal operation can be restored at the plant and at the mines. The management is keeping its door open for any suggestions. We are hopeful of a positive outcome,” said Ramendra Gupta, the UCIL CMD, who rushed to Jadugora from New Delhi today.
Gupta said that the wage revision settlement, which is due from April, 2008, was under conciliation by the central assistant labour commissioner and regional labour commissioner. While the negotiations were on, the unions went on strike from October 8.
About 4,000 workers, including those working in the six mines at Jadugora, Narwah, Turamdih, Bhatin, Mohuldih and Bagjata, are on strike demanding a wage revision.
“We would continue with the strike till our demands of 27 per cent minimum guaranteed benefit is met. We would be forced to intensify our agitation if the management does not pay heed to our demands,” said S.K. Das, the UCIL labour union general secretary.
The UCIL management admitted that the workers’ strike took a heavy toll on production at two processing units in Jadugora and Turamdih during the past four days. It also affected mining operation.
A senior official of the company pointed out that it took about 27 months to finalise the wage revision in Coal India.
“We are putting our best efforts to resolve the issue in the next month,” said a senior official of the personnel department.
The official pointed out that labour movement in UCIL had always been apolitical and that most issues were resolved amicably across the table.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091012/jsp/jharkhand/story_11604380.jsp
Two officials of private mining company shot dead
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Pakur (Jharkhand), Oct 12 Two senior officials of a private mining company were shot dead by unidentified assailants at Chhotapahar in Pakur district today.
Deputy Director of Panem Mining Company Dinanath Sharan and Assistant Mines Manager Sheetal Prasad were taking a morning walk when the assailants opened fire at them at around 5.30 am, Sub-divisional Police officer Harinarayan Mahali told reporters here.
The incident comes close on the heels of the killing of a police inspector in Ranchi, a SBI Branch Manager in Palamau and an assistant engineer in Gumla.
- (Agencies)
http://news.chennaionline.com/newsitem.aspx?NEWSID=d2bc99b9-06a7-4ea2-9326-9a407d99c8b1&CATEGORYNAME=NATL
JSW to invest INR 1500 crore in coal mining operations
Monday, 12 Oct 2009
ET reported that JSW group is slated to invest close to INR 1500 crore in its captive coal mining operations in the state. The project is linked to the group's proposed power cum steel project in West Bengal.
As per report JSW Energy power generation arm will flag off the group's plans in the state through a 800 MW thermal plant in the first phase.
Mr Biswadip Gupta joint MD & CEO of JSW Bengal Steel said that "We will have to pump in no less than INR 1500 crore for mining operations since we will have to undertake deep underground mining in some of the blocks we have been allotted in the state.” He added that “The advantage is that the coal is of good quality with high calorific value.”
JSW has been allotted steam coal blocks at Ichhapur and Gourangdih in addition to semi coking coal ones at Purulia and Sitarampur in West Bengal.
(Sourced from Economic Times)
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/10/12/MTE1ODEw/JSW_to_invest_INR_1500_crore_in_coal_mining_operations.html
Abroad coal mine buys to ensure smooth supply’
KS Narayanan
Partha S Bhattacharrya
First Published : 12 Oct 2009 03:04:00 AM IST
Partha S Bhattacharrya, the Chairman of state-run Coal India Limited (CIL) is busy shopping for coal properties abroad. In an interview to KS Narayanan of The New Indian Express, Bhattacharrya said that coal mine acquisitions are aimed at ensuring smooth supply of coal to augment power generation in the country and achieve the target of providing power to all by 2012. Excerpts:After acquiring coal blocks in Mozambique, you continue to shop for coal properties abroad. When do you expect to acquire new properties?
Early this year CIL was awarded two exploratory coal-mining blocks A1 and A2 by the Mozambique government as part of its bilateral relationship with the Indian Government.
What we achieved in Mozambique was easier as it was the governmentto- government negotiations. So CIL was able to get the two coal blocks.
But the same cannot be said about isolated and stand-alone proposals.
Several expression of interest received are private ones. So what we decided was to introduce an element of competition. We floated global expression of interest. As a result we received huge responses from global mining companies for strategic partnership.
We have set up a high level committee to take this process to a logical conclusion.
Which are the countries you are looking at to buy coal mines?
We are looking at the US, South Africa, Australia and Indonesia. We had exploratory discussions with some of the US companies that have shown interest for a strategic partnership with CIL.
Then, can we get coal at a competitive price?
India as of today is importing 59 million tonnes of coal. This is expected to rise in the coming years. If we get into a strategic partnership or joint venture we should be able to get to that quantity of coal at a better price or better terms. Then only, we will add value. Secondly, the problem is that Indian consumers can face price volatility as imports grow. But they have never seen price volatility as they have always been protected.
That is the reason why we don’t see appetite for imported coals.
CIL has received more than 50 expression of interest. How many of them are likely to be concluded?
As discussions are in exploratory stage, I would not like to go in detail.
Let us conclude the process (Expression of Interest), which will take around four to six months. As a major producer of coal, I would hate to have a position where the power generation programme gets affected by lack of coal.
What about acquisition in Australia?
We can expect something before the end of financial year. CIL has appointed 10 bankers to advise it on overseas buy-outs. The Royal Bank of Canada is conducting due diligence for property in Australia.
What is the progress on the CIL disinvestment plan?
We had initial discussions. The idea generally is to have a preferential allotment first of all to our land loosers and employees. They are important stakeholders. Once that is through we will go for an initial public offer.
How has the downturn impacted your company?
We had best of growth since the downturn. The CIL grew by 5.3 per cent during 2007-08. During 2008-09, we grew by 6.4 per cent. Now we are growing at 7.7 per cent. This marks the beginning of CIL’s move to a higher growth trajectory.
How do you find the competition from captive blocks sold at prices that are 20-25 per cent less than CIL prices?
I don’t think this is competition. It is supplementing our efforts to make coal available to power plants.
http://finance.expressbuzz.com/edition/finance/story.aspx?Title=‘Abroad+coal+mine+buys+to+ensure+smooth+supply’&artid=wJP6ZlDOnZQ=&SectionID=XT7e3Zkr/lw=&MainSectionID=XT7e3Zkr/lw=&SEO=CIL,+Mozambique,+US&SectionName=HFdYSiSIflu29kcfsoAfeg==
India industrial output surges
(AFP) – 2 hours ago
NEW DELHI — India's industrial output surged by a better-than-expected 10.4 percent in August, official data showed Monday, which analysts say could raise pressure on the central bank to hike interest rates.
The strong year-on-year figures came on the back of double-digit growth in the manufacturing, mining and electricity sectors.
Analysts were expecting a rise in industrial output of close to 10 percent.
Economists said the robust figures could press the central bank to up rates to control growing inflationary pressures, although most predict no move before January.
India's industrial performance is expected to help offset the impact on overall economic growth of monsoon rains, which have been the worst in nearly four decades and hurt agricultural output, analysts say.
The data were the latest in a series of encouraging figures pointing to recovery in Asia's third-largest economy.
Manufacturing production grew by 10.2 percent in August, electricity by 10.6 percent and mining by 12.9 percent.
India's economic growth has fallen from the annual nine percent-plus levels the country logged for several years before the start of the global financial crisis.
But recent data such as rising sales of passenger cars has spurred expectations that the economy could pick up pace.
The government projects the economy will expand by 6.3 to 6.5 percent in the current financial year to March 2010.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h08Y78mm7jsFw89-W6cD9UHGFdcQ
Mining – International
Fortescue Approves A$360 Million Ore Mine Expansion
(Update1)
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By Madelene Pearson and Jesse Riseborough
Oct. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Fortescue Metals Group Ltd., Australia’s third-biggest iron ore producer, approved a A$360 million ($326 million) expansion of its Christmas Creek mine to increase total output to 55 million metric tons a year.
The expansion involves building a 50-kilometer (31-mile) railroad from the Cloudbreak mine and an ore processing plant at the site, the Perth-based company said today in a statement to the Australian stock exchange. The project will be “internally funded,” Fortescue said, without giving details.
Fortescue last month missed a $6 billion funding deadline with Chinese lenders as it sought financing for a larger expansion to more than double exports by 2012. The company is seeking to boost production to take advantage of increased demand and analyst forecasts for a rebound in prices for the steelmaking material from 2010.
The expansion of Christmas Creek returns Fortescue to an earlier plan to have the two mines operating concurrently. It should enable output to reach “an ultimate production level of 55 million tons to 60 million tons per annum,” Fortescue said.
Fortescue shares rose 2.4 percent to A$3.86 at 10:28 a.m. Sydney time on the exchange. Production in the September quarter rose 19 percent from the June quarter, operating at an annualized rate of 38 million metric tons, exceeding the company’s target by 9 percent.
Goldman Sachs JBWere Pty last week raised its forecast for a gain in annual contract prices for iron ore fines next year to $72 a metric ton, up from an earlier forecast of $66 a ton. Contract prices this year were set at about $61 a ton.
To contact the reporter on this story: Madelene Pearson in Melbourne onmpearson1@bloomberg.net; Jesse Riseborough in Canberra atjriseborough@bloomberg.net
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=a1GaEyQPqiN8
China mine owners flee after accident kills 14: report
(AFP) – 16 hours ago
BEIJING — Police in southwest China are hunting for four owners of an illegal coal mine where an accident left 14 miners dead, state media reported Sunday.
Authorities had sealed up the illegal mine in Weining County in southern Guizhou province on Wednesday, but the owners broke into the mine and ordered their workers into the pit, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
The mine collapsed, leaving the miners trapped as poisonous gas built up around them, killing 10 workers immediately. Four others died after they were reached by rescuers, the report said.
Police are offering a 10,000-yuan (1,470-dollar) reward for information leading to the owners' capture or 20,000 yuan to anyone who brings them in, the report said.
China's mines are notoriously dangerous.
On Friday, 13 other miners were killed in an accident in Liaoning province that is still being investigated, Xinhua reported.
Meanwhile, a lift malfunction killed 26 miners in a tin mine in central Hunan province on Thursday, state media reported.
Official figures show more than 3,200 workers died in collieries last year, but independent labour groups say the actual figure could be much higher, as many accidents are covered up in order to avoid costly mine shutdowns.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hie41oGG1uokH40i2UpaK-NolUlA
Chinese company asked to resubmit bid for Australian coal mining company
www.chinaview.cn 2009-10-12 16:38:26
Print
CANBERRA, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Australian coal mining company Felix Resources (Felix) revealed on Monday that China's Yanzhou Coal Mining (Yanzhou) Co., Ltd. will resubmit its application to take over the Australian company.
Felix has been advised that Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) has not yet made a decision regarding the application, and that Yanzhou will resubmit its application Monday, Felix said in a statement on its website.
The company said the timetable for the deal will not be affected by the latest resubmission.
This will be the second time that Yanzhou has been asked to resubmit its 3.5-billion-Australian-dollar (3.2 billion U.S. dollars) proposal to the FIRB.
Yanzhou has resubmitted its application for the first time last month, restarting a 30-day appraisal process rather than triggering a 90-day extension of the review period.
Analysts said on Monday that Australian regulators seem to tighten their stance on foreign ownership.
Patrick Colmer, director of FIRB, said late September in an economic forum in Sydney that the board would be more "comfortable" with investments below 50 percent for new ventures and 15 percent for major producers.
Colmer also suggested that Chinese companies which are invested in Australia should consult with Australian authorities before signing cooperative agreements with Australian businesses.
Yanzhou Coal Mining Co., Ltd., located in east China's Shandong Province, is one of the large-scale coal enterprises in China. It also owns Austar Coal Mine, Tianchi Coal Mine, Zhaolou Coal Mine in Australia, north China's Shanxi Province and Shandong Province respectively, according to information on the company's website.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-10/12/content_12217517.htm
Zijin Mining to buy 12.8pct stake in Canadian Continental Minerals
Monday, 12 Oct 2009
Zijin Mining announced to subscribe for 21.1215 million ordinary shares placed by Canadian Continental Minerals Corporation after which Zinjin Mining would hold 12.8% of the latter's total share capital and become its largest shareholder.
At the subscription price of 1.07 Canadian dollars per share, the deal involves a total investment of CAD 22.6 million.
Zinjin stated that the investment would increase the company's reserves of copper and gold resources. Continental trades in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange and in the US on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board.
The company is currently engaged in advancing the Xietongmen copper gold deposit located about 240 kilometers southwest of the city of Lhasa of China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Exploration by Continental since 2005 has resulted in the discovery of 2 copper gold deposits ie Xietongmen deposit and Newtongmen deposit.
The Xietongmen deposit is announced to produce an average of 116 million pounds of copper and 190,000 ounces of gold annually over a 14 year mine life, while Newtongmen which was discovered later than the former is initially estimated to have excellent potential to increase the life of the mine.
Zijin Mining with more metal reserves than all the other companies in China owned total assets of CNY 26.218 billion and net assets of CNY 19.179 billion by December 30th 2008.
(Sourced from China Mining)
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/10/12/MTE1NzY4/Zijin_Mining_to_buy_12.8pct_stake_in_Canadian_Continental_Minerals.html
BHP Says Merrill Lynch Helping With Study of Ravensthorpe Mine
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By Jesse Riseborough
Oct. 12 (Bloomberg) -- BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s biggest mining company, said Bank of America Corp.-Merrill Lynch & Co. is helping the company study options for its shelved Ravensthorpe nickel mine in Western Australia.
“We are conducting a future options study which is looking at all options including restart, closure and divestment,” Peter Ogden, a Melbourne-based spokesman, said today. “As part of the ongoing options study we appointed Merrill Lynch to assist with testing the market for the asset and evaluate divestment as a potential future option.”
BHP is poised to consider first-round offers for Ravensthorpe, the Australian Financial Review reported today. Minara Resources Ltd. and China’s Jinchuan Group Ltd. are expected to be among bidders, the newspaper said in its Street Talk column. Ogden wouldn’t comment on the report.
Melbourne-based BHP closed the $2.2 billion mine in January after nickel prices plunged. It sold the associated Yabulu nickel refinery in Queensland in July to Australian billionaire Clive Palmer for an undisclosed sum.
To contact the reporter for this story: Jesse Riseborough in Canberra atjriseborough@bloomberg.net
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=a2IwPc5OImAo
Other News
PRESS RELEASE
Bangkok climate meet ends in despair.
Is it the end of Kyoto process?
• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) attends Bangkok Climate Change Talks and sees the developed (Annex I) nations working overtime to kill the Kyoto Protocol
• Condemns these efforts to junk the Protocol in favour of a new deal just to accommodate the US; EU emerges the new deal-breaker
• CSE raises the specter of failure of the Copenhagen CoP in December
New Delhi, October 12, 2009: The 15th Conference of Parties scheduled to be held in Copenhagen from December 7 might fizzle out, going by the results of the recently concluded Bangkok climate meet – says Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). CSE’s climate team attended and closely followed the Bangkok deliberations which, it says, have left most problems unresolved.
“Bangkok was supposed to be a major milestone in the run-up to Copenhagen, but at the end of it, existing problems have remained. What’s worse, new ones have emerged,” says Kushal P S Yadav, head of CSE’s climate team.
The Bangkok Climate Change Talks were held from September 28 till October 9, and revolved around the ninth session of the Ad-hoc Working Group on Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) and the seventh session of the Ad-hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action.
Killing the Kyoto process
What became clear at Bangkok was that the Kyoto Protocol is being slowly driven to its death, with almost all the Annex I countries turning away from it. The negotiations in the AWG-KP have not made any progress as no country is ready to commit to the second phase reduction targets.
With the US not ratifying the Protocol, nor making any legal commitment to reduce emissions, comparability of reduction efforts for the Annex I countries became a major issue in Bangkok. Japan had already expressed its dissatisfaction with the Kyoto Protocol, and the European Union (EU) has now started rooting for a new legal instrument to replace it.
Following the US model, other developed countries have begun moving away from internationally binding emissions reduction targets towards having domestic legislations and targets which can eventually be enshrined into a new treaty. Says Yadav: “This is nothing but slow dismantling of an internationally binding agreement. National targets cannot be treated at the same level as commitments made under the Kyoto Protocol. This is evident from the current commitments made by a few developed countries and blocks, which remain well below the levels which science says are required.”
The developing nations, of course, are not amused. According to Yadav, “the move by developed countries to dump the existing processes and instruments is being seen as an attempt to weaken the existing levels of commitments and obligations for Annex I nations”. Addressing a meeting at Bangkok, Shyam Saran, the Indian prime minister’s special envoy on climate change, said categorically: “The Annex I countries are coming down to much lower level of obligations. We have said ‘no’ to this. We will not sign any such deal.”
Says Sunita Narain, director, CSE and a member of the prime minister’s committee on climate change: “We strongly condemn this attempt to junk the Kyoto Protocol and move the goal-posts.”
She adds: “President Barack Obama of the US has been bestowed this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, but does he deserve it? What the world needs at this juncture is decisive and strong climate leadership, and we sincerely hope that president Obama earns his Nobel by providing this leadership.”
Government distributes forestland amongst tribals in Orissa
October 11th, 2009 - 9:11 pm ICT by ANI -
Koraput (Orissa), Oct 11(ANI): In a bid to resolve growing tension over land between tribals and non-tribals in Orissa’s Koraput district, the State Government on Sunday distributed forest land amongst tribals under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act.
The land lease documents were handed over by the District Collector of Koraput, Gadadhar Parida, to the entitled tribals from Narayanpatna, Bandhagaon and Laxmipur blocks of Koraput district, who had earlier applied for land.
“Till date around 21,000 people applied under the forest rights, of which we have found 5,500 people eligible, out of which 4,000 people have already got the leasehold documents and land strips. Rest of the people will be getting within this week,” Gadadhar Parida said.
The initiative has been welcomed by the tribals, who wish to use the land for agriculture and make a decent living.
“We are very happy to get the land, we will use it for agriculture,” said Simanchal, a tribal.
The region has been facing tension in the past few months as hundreds of activists of Chasi Muliya Adivasi Sangh, a tribal outfit backed by the Maoists, forcibly occupied the lands and properties of non-tribals.
In last three months, they had acquired around 3,000 acres of non-tribal land in both these regions and distributed it amongst the tribals.
The unrest had also prompted many non-tribals to flee from the region. (ANI)
Read more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/government-distributes-forestland-amongst-tribals-in-orissa_100259265.html#ixzz0TigH1dGO
Near Lucknow, people with no NREGS job find they were ‘paid’
Tarannum Manjul
Posted: Oct 12, 2009 at 0327 hrs IST
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MAll (Lucknow) WHEN 55-year-old Shyam Sunderi Devi of Pakra Bazar village went to get her bank passbook updated about a fortnight ago, she found that money had been deposited in her account as NREGS wage and had also been withdrawn. The reality: she had never worked at a NREGS site, nor withdrawn the money.
Thereafter, her son Dilip Gupta went to the Bank of India branch at Sehdupur. He was told that they would conduct an inquiry. Gupta next went to gram pradhan Raj Kumari to find out how NREGS money had been deposited in his mother’s account.
Interestingly, Raj Kumari’s husband Ram Khilawan, who virtually runs the panchayat on his wife’s behalf, handed him a job card for which his mother had never applied.
“Around Rs 10,000 was deposited in the account as ‘NREGS karya bhugtan’, of which Rs 6,000 had been withdrawn — all without our knowledge,” said Gupta, who lodged a complaint with the Chief
Development Officer Kaushal Raj Sharma.
As an official inquiry is underway, many cases of gross irregularities have come to light. Bank accounts were opened in the name of villagers and operated without their knowledge or consent.
According to villagers, Ram Khilawan had approached them and told them that he had got the accounts opened and would give them some money.
“There are complaints indicating that the gram pradhan has been using fraudulent methods to siphon the NREGS funds. We are verifying all the cases. We have collected the photocopies of all job cards and muster rolls,” said Sharma.
“On Monday, I will personally visit the village. If this is true, we will initiate legal action against all, including the pradhan and the panchayat secretary,” he said.
In case bank officials are involved, action will be taken against them and money will also be recovered, added Sharma.
It is yet to be ascertained since when the racket has been going on. If it remained hidden all these months, it was because the villagers visit the Sehdupur branch of Bank of India occasionally.
Shyam Sunderi Devi had got her passbook last updated “some time around Holi”. This time, she went to the bank when her Lucknow-based son came home for a few days.
Consider a list of villagers who never worked on NREGS, but found money being deposited and withdrawn
From their accounts:
* Surji (70) is bedridden. He has never been to the bank, nor had he ever asked for a NREGS job card, but he has got a bank account where around Rs 3,500 has been deposited.
“The pradhan’s husband told me that he had opened my account and that I will be getting some money,” said Surji.
* Lal Bahadur Singh (50), a shop owner, too has a bank account in his name in the Sehdupur branch of Bank of India. He says he had never applied for a bank account. In the last three months, Rs 7,000 was deposited in his account, of which Rs 5,000 was withdrawn. According to Singh, pradhan’s husband told him that he had opened his account and he would be getting some money.
* Ashok, a teacher at Mahatma Gandhi Vidyalaya, also has an account opened in his name where around Rs 5,000 was deposited. He also got to know about it from the pradhan’s husband. Similar is the case of Uday Bhan (40), a driver and Sheetla Devi, a housewife.
* Somdevi works as a cook with the mid-day meal scheme. For the last six months, she has not received her wages of Rs 2,000 per month. Earlier, the pradhan gave her a NREGS job card and informed that she had been paid under the NREGS. “I have not worked in any NREGS site and this payment is much less than what I should have got,” says Somdevi.
* Rampyari is also a cook in the mid-day meal scheme. Her son worked for 10 days at a NREGS site, but did not receive any payment. Instead, her account was credited with Rs 1,000 as NREGS payment. “My payment is pending for the mid-day meal work. The pradhan told me that I should be satisfied with whatever has been given,” she said. She too has been given a job card.
Gram pradhan Raj Kumari could not be contacted. According to the villagers, her husband Ram Khilawan runs the show in the name of his wife who was elected in 2005. Before her, Ram Khilawan himself was the gram pradhan. Asked about the allegations, Khilawan said: “It is completely baseless.”
All NREGS payments are made after the approval of the village pradhan and the panchayat secretary. Ram Naresh, the panchayat secretary, resigned three months ago and could not be traced. Panchayat secretary of Sehdupur, who now looks after the work of Pakra bazar, said he had just signed the documents that the pradhan had prepared.
The manager of Sehdupur branch of Bank of India is on a leave. Assistant Manager B K Singh, officiating manager, said he had recently joined and could comment only after the inquiry is completed.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/near-lucknow-people-with-no-nregs-job-find-they-were-paid/527892/
No land rights yet even for single applicant
Express News Service
First Published : 12 Oct 2009 04:32:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 12 Oct 2009 07:48:12 AM IST
BHUBANESWAR: When Maoists activities are fast spreading to many districts and the Government attributing it to a socio-economic problem, the administration has miserably failed to implement the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 in true spirit.
The Government has not been able to issue land rights to a single applicant under the central Act.
As on March 19, about 2.90 lakh claims were received by gram sabhas in the three revenue divisions and after verification over 1.45 lakh applications were forwarded to the sub-divisional level committee (SDLC) involving an area of over 2.16 lakh acres. The total number of families who claimed their rights over forest land were about 1.30 lakh.
However, the sub-divisional level committee approved only 36,301 claims involving over 51,000 acres of land to the district level committees. The district level committee approved 29,772 claims involving 47,534 acres of forest land. Office of the three Revenue Divisional Commissioners rejected 777 applications. But land title was not issued to a single claimant for reason best known to the revenue administration.
During the same period, 1461 community claims over forest land rights were received and only 351 claims involving over 10,474 acres land and approved by palli sabhas were recommended to the sub-divisional level committee. The SDLC approved and recommended 73 claims involving 529 acres to the district level committee.
The DLC rejected four claims. Not a single claim was settled by end of March.
Maximum number of 1.53 lakh claims were received from the southern revenue division and over 79,000 applications were approved by palli sabha.
Over 84,566 claims were received from the northern divisions out of which 46,584 claims were forwarded to SDLC. The SDLC forwarded only 5566 claims to the district level committee.
In the central zone, the total claims received was 51,606 of which palli sabhas recommended 19,556 claims to SDLC. The SDLC approved and forwarded 3396 claims of which the DLC approved 1836 claims.
The delay in finalisation of the claims and issue of land rights to the original forest dwellers mostly tribals has had its reflection in Narayanpatna and Bandhuagaon blocks of tribal dominated Koraput districts.
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