By Our Correspondent
BARBIL/JODA: It seems, a large tribal population of Tanto village under Barbil Tahasil and coming under Joda Mining circle in Keonjhar, are fighting a grim battle with Collector, ADM Champua and Tasildar , Barbil turning a blind eye to their fight against KN Ram Mines and Narbheram Power and Steel Pvt Ltd.
A local named Guru Munda lost huge patch land due to unscrupulous nexus of the said Mining firm. Munda is now running from pillar to post to get justice with Collector paying no heads to it. Like Guru Munda, many other facing similar situation.
Many locals however alleged that, instead giving the land due, the Mining Company paying monthly land due to local villagers, which raised many eyebrows. Roida II of Narbheram Steel & Power (p) Ltd which was part of the 20 blocks auctioned before March 2020 as per the revised MMDR Act, 2015, now facing local resistance over its expansion.
Earlier, Locals mostly tribal people under Joda mining circle of Keonjhar in Odisha, had alleged before local BDO that, KN Mines Group, forcibly evicting them from their native place for Company’s expansion work. Locals of Tanto village alleged that with active support from district and local administration, the company illegally evicting them.
Sources said, 27.29 hectors of forest land are being converted into non-forest land for KN Ram Group’s pellet plant. Locals have approached the Joda BDO to stop any forceful Gram Sabha or public hearing for the company’s expansion work. Locals alleged that the company harassing local tribal people using outside force.
Locals have been opposing the expansion of production capacity from the existing 2.2 million TPA to 3.5 million TPA of Roida-2 iron mines of the Khatau Narbheram and Co situated at Tanto village under Barbil tehsil under Joda division in Keonjhar.
It may be noted here that KN Ram Mines Group run Roida-II mines block too under scanner for illegal mining and trading. KN Ram &Co had retained it’s the Roida II iron mines at a presidium of 90.90 percent in last mining auction. The Roida-II block has iron reserve of 27.188 million tonnes.
Sources said, KN Ram Mines Group, was among the mines firm, which showing High grade iron ore in the 62-65 per cent Fe category as low grade ore (below 58 per cent Fe) to depress the average sale price (ASP) determined by Indian Bureau of Mines and higher volume of ore is exported claiming exemption of export duty.
Last year, ED had carried out search at KN Ram Mines Group on allegations that mines owner was alleged to be involved in bungling their stock in the mines with figure of the book. There were also allegations that some of them were obtaining goods permit pass from the mining office for despatch of low grade materials but actually, they were dispatching high grade materials causing huge loss to the Government.
