BJP turning state into grazing ground for corporations: Cong
Raipur: Chhattisgarh Congress has alleged that the BJP govt focuses solely on exploiting Bastar's resources. The Congress party will soon launch a major public movement against the alleged loot of Bastar's wealth.
"BJP govt has its eyes on Bastar's natural resources. CM Vishnu Deo Sai administration is turning the state into a grazing ground for corporate houses," stated Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) President Deepak Baij.
He stated that four major iron ore mines in Bastar were handed over to private industrialists. Among them, the Bailadila 1A and 1B mines were leased to ArcelorMittal for 50 years. The Bailadila 1C mine was allotted to Rungta Steel for the same duration, and the Hahaladi mine in Kanker district was given to Sagar Stone for 50 years.
Baij warned that this is just the beginning, and preparations are underway to hand over all of Bastar's precious mineral wealth to Adani.
He alleged that a red carpet is being laid out in Bastar for Adani.
Baij further alleged that instead of setting up mining-based public sector undertakings in Bastar, the BJP govt is handing over valuable mineral resources to capitalists at throwaway prices.
He pointed out that despite widespread opposition, the Union Steel Minister recently visited Chhattisgarh and sold the Bhilai unit of the public sector enterprise Ferro Scrap Nigam Limited (FSNL) for Rs 320 crore, even though the unit was earning an annual profit of around Rs 100 crore.
Baij also reminded that during the Raman Singh govt, Nagraz Hill in Bastar was sold to Adani with a fake Gram Sabha NOC. The previous Congress govt investigated and recommended cancellation of the allocation, but the proposal remains pending with the central govt. He added that the NMDC plant in Nagarnar, a public sector unit worth over Rs 20,000 crore, is listed for sale on the central govt's disinvestment portal "DIPAM.
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He alleged that the central govt is selling off the right of Bastar's youth to govt employment.
During elections, Prime Minister Modi and Union Home minister Amit Shah promised the people of Bastar that the Nagarnar plant would not be sold, yet the sale process continues, Baij further alleged.
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