Vedanta’s Illegal Ash Disposal: The issue of Vedanta’s illegal fly ash disposal has been raised in the Odisha Legislative Assembly. The Congress party attacked the Government and said why the government remains silent while Vedanta continues to dispose of fly ash unlawfully. Party also criticized the government for its apparent leniency towards the company.
On the seventh day of the Winter Session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Congress MLA Mr. C.S. Raazen Ekka raised the issue, alleging that Vedanta‘s Jharsuguda Plant arbitrarily disposing of ash in various locations, including creating ash hills in forest areas of Jharsuguda. He questioned why the government remains silent despite being aware of the situation.
He further stated that the Pollution Control Board has fined Vedanta for its ash management practices, but the company has not paid the fine, nor has any action been taken against it. Pollution caused by Vedanta in the Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and Sundargarh regions has also been penalized, but no significant measures have been taken against the company, which continues to operate without consequences.
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Protests against Vedanta’s ash transportation practices have been ongoing. Despite public outcry, the government has not taken any steps against the company. The ash generated by Vedanta’s Jharsuguda plant is not being transported as per regulations, leading to growing public dissatisfaction in the affected areas.
Additionally, emissions from Vedanta’s furnaces are contributing to air pollution in the region. The ash carried by the wind spreads several kilometers, contaminating the environment, and settling on homes and vegetation. This has posed significant environmental hazards, yet the government has failed to act.
Vedanta’s negligence has stirred political unrest, with even ruling party MLAs and MPs expressing opposition to the company’s practices. Some have written to the central government, highlighting the issue. There is speculation that the dissatisfaction against Vedanta’s actions may escalate into a major movement in the coming days.
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