Bhubaneswar,swa news : In a significant step towards the long-awaited development of Kalahandi, a 13-member delegation of eminent citizens from the district, under the banner of the Citizen Forum of Kalahandi (CFK), met the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, in Bhubaneswar and submitted a memorandum urging the government to immediately initiate the Gram Sabha process for the Lanjigarh bauxite mines.
Led by Mr. Pradeepta Naik (Ex-MLA) and Dr. Ajay Mishra (retired professor), the delegation emphasized that the Gram Sabha must be conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner using the special powers available to the state government. The group also reiterated that no local community displacement would occur in any of the 12 villages falling under the mining zonereinforcing the commitment to responsible development that safeguards community rights.
In their memorandum, the delegation highlighted that the Lanjigarh Alumina Refinery, operational since 2003, has already improved quality of life for over 70,000 families through employment, livelihood support, and community development programs. However, the continued lack of captive bauxite linkage has restricted the refinery’s full potential, thereby limiting its contribution to local economic growth
“While other districts like Rayagada and Koraput have surged ahead, Kalahandi still waits for the promise of inclusive development to be fulfilled. This is a collective demand from the ground upnot just for industry, but for a better future,” Dr Ajay Mishra, President Kalahandi Citizen Forum said.
“The Hon’ble Chief Minister listened to every point carefully and assured us that he will take all possible steps to ensure the right path is followed. That gives us great hope”, Mishra added.
The representation also called for a holistic development agenda for Kalahandi and the Lanjigarh regionspanning healthcare, education, infrastructure, establishment of a cultural university, enhanced livelihood generation, and special attention to the needs of the Dongria Kondh community.
Those present in the delegation included:
- Pradeepta Naik, Ex-MLA, Bhawanipatna
- Dr. Ajay Mishra, Retired Professor
- Ajay Kumar Panda, Entrepreneur & Educationist
- Smt. Sangita Panda, Chairman, Pragati Group of Institutions
- Santanu Behera, President Mahaveer Sanskrutika Anusthan
- Kambhupani Mishra, President Shri Ramjiu Sanskrutika Commision Anusthan
- Sushanta Mahapatra, President Brundaban Sanskrutika Anusthan
- Akshay Kumar Das, General Secretary Brundaban Sanskrutika Anusthan
- Dyanananda Panda, Chairman Prathibha Anusthan
- Smt Pratibha Mishra, Secretary Prathibha Anusthan
- Parmananda Majhi, President Adivasha Sangha, Kalahandi
They were joined by other civil society leaders, youth representatives, and cultural activists.
The delegation also acknowledged the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, under whom Odisha has witnessed remarkable progress. Flagship initiatives such as ‘Bikashita Gaon, Bikashita Odisha’ and ‘Subhadra Yojana’ have ushered in a new era of people-centric development. The delegation expressed hope that Kalahandi too will now receive the same focused attention. Rich in mineral wealth, the district has remained underdeveloped for decades. The next leap in Kalahandi’s growth, they emphasized, can only happen through the timely opening of its bauxite reservesunleashing industrial momentum and grassroots prosperity alike.
Despite its abundant mineral endowment, Odisha’s aluminium refineries continue to import bauxite from other states and countries. This paradox undermines the state’s economic potential and contradicts the spirit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in Odisha” call at the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave 2025. It results in missed opportunities for job creation, industrial expansion, and inclusive growth within Odisha itself.
Opening the bauxite reserves in Kalahandiwould mark a transformational step in the district’s development journey. Beyond industrial capacity, it would unlock direct social dividends: enabling sustained investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and livelihood generation for decades to come. This is not merely about sustainable mining,it is about building a virtuous cycle where the natural wealth of Odisha uplifts its people.
The Citizen Forum stressed that achieving this vision will require proactive steps from the State Government, beginning with the timely holding of the next Gram Sabha. Such a move will help attract industrial investment, while preserving and building upon the socio-economic momentum cultivated over the past two decades through both public and private efforts.
The Citizen Forum concluded by expressing confidence that, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Odisha will take bold and inclusive steps to unlock the potential of Kalahandi and secure prosperity for generations to come.
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