Saraikela: In a strongly worded observation at the public hearing, West Singhbhum parliamentarian Gita Koda observed, “I have not been invited here by the company but by the people of the three villages that are going to fall under the purview of the company’s expansion programme. The people have elected me and I shall never allow their voices to be stifled.” She went on to state that the company should honour the sentiments and trust of the people towards it. The people who have given their land holdings to the company for expanding its base should be adequately compensated she said. Gita said, “The people of the three villages had given the company land of their forefathers with trust and the company should honour the trust. It should establish the mode of mutual trust and cooperation and not make the villagers scapegoats in case of problems.” The parliamentarian stated that the company had taken over the burial ground in Chaliama. “This is an insult to tradition. The company should resolve the issue immediately. I also demand that the company provides 80 percent employment to the local people. The CSR funds should be utilized meaningfully and fruitfully. It should provide basic requirements to the residents of the three villages.”
