Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Matwada Massacre Case - CGNet - 2255
Updates on Matwada Massacre Case
On 18 March 2008 three tribal, who were living in Salwa Judum camp Matwada
for last two years, were killed before the eyes of their wives and a fourth
tribal was beaten badly but he survived.
Police claimed that these three tribal were killed by Naxalites.
Two days later these three widows approached a NGO (Vanvasi Chetna Ashram)
and disclosed that in fact their husbands were killed by police and SPO’s in
broad day light with sticks and knives.
Vanvasi Chetna Ashram facilitated a press conference in which these three
widows and fourth survivor narrated the whole story of police brutalities.
These widows and the fourth survivor along with Vanvasi Chetna Ashram filed
a writ petition in Chattisgarh High Court Bilaspur against Police and SPOs..
On 17 Chattisgarh High Court Bilaspur pronounced an interim
order instructing state of Chattisgarh, through collector Bijapur to pay
compensation to all these four petitioners/victims immediately.
State of Chattisgarh stated before the High Court that petitioners are not
cooperating and they hide whenever state authorities try to contact them.
High court instructed Vanvasi Chetna Ashram to ensure that these four
petitioners/ victims appear before collector Bijapur on 24/06/2010.
Today VCA volunteers helped these petitioners/victims to reach up to
collector Bijapur after 24 kilometers walk and 60 km bus journey alonfwith
their small children.
Collector Bijapur did not pay any compensation to these petitioners/ victims
today but asked them to produce following documents:
1 Death certificates of their husbands.
2 Copy of the FIR
3 Certificate that these widows are the legal heirs of the persons died.
4 An application from these victims/ petitioners that their husbands were
killed by
Naxalites and not by the police and SPO’s.
The fourth survivor Shri Somdu do not deserve any compensation..
Can this state win the heart and mind of tribal in this way ?
Himanshu Kumar
24/06/2010
On 18 March 2008 three tribal, who were living in Salwa Judum camp Matwada
for last two years, were killed before the eyes of their wives and a fourth
tribal was beaten badly but he survived.
Police claimed that these three tribal were killed by Naxalites.
Two days later these three widows approached a NGO (Vanvasi Chetna Ashram)
and disclosed that in fact their husbands were killed by police and SPO’s in
broad day light with sticks and knives.
Vanvasi Chetna Ashram facilitated a press conference in which these three
widows and fourth survivor narrated the whole story of police brutalities.
These widows and the fourth survivor along with Vanvasi Chetna Ashram filed
a writ petition in Chattisgarh High Court Bilaspur against Police and SPOs..
On 17 Chattisgarh High Court Bilaspur pronounced an interim
order instructing state of Chattisgarh, through collector Bijapur to pay
compensation to all these four petitioners/victims immediately.
State of Chattisgarh stated before the High Court that petitioners are not
cooperating and they hide whenever state authorities try to contact them.
High court instructed Vanvasi Chetna Ashram to ensure that these four
petitioners/ victims appear before collector Bijapur on 24/06/2010.
Today VCA volunteers helped these petitioners/victims to reach up to
collector Bijapur after 24 kilometers walk and 60 km bus journey alonfwith
their small children.
Collector Bijapur did not pay any compensation to these petitioners/ victims
today but asked them to produce following documents:
1 Death certificates of their husbands.
2 Copy of the FIR
3 Certificate that these widows are the legal heirs of the persons died.
4 An application from these victims/ petitioners that their husbands were
killed by
Naxalites and not by the police and SPO’s.
The fourth survivor Shri Somdu do not deserve any compensation..
Can this state win the heart and mind of tribal in this way ?
Himanshu Kumar
24/06/2010
Harassment of Activists from CGarh network Digest 22555
From: Ritwick Dutta
Date: Thu, Jun 24, 2010 at 11:57 PM
Subject: [TAI India] Urgent Support and Advice: Ramesh Aggarwal under Threat
To: taiindia@googlegroups.com
Dear TAI members,
Please recall a recent posting on the TAI India list by Ramesh Aggarwal on
the Ministry of Environment and Forest revoking environmental clearance to
Jindal Industries on the ground that they had commenced work prior to
environmental clearances. This was a important and significant victory for
Ramesh and every one concerned at the blatant violation of the law. Earlier,
the NEAA had granted an interim stay on another project of Jindal in view of
violation of the public hearing process.
Today I received a call from Ramesh Aggarwal's son that Jindal company has
filed a Complaint before the Police Station on the ground that Ramesh
Aggawal was trying to extort money from Jindal and is therefore harrassing
the company. A complaint had been filed in Chattisgarh as well as in Delhi.
There is a chance that Ramesh Aggarwal may be arrested any moment.
This is a really serious development. After years of legal battle against
the company, Ramesh had finally suceeded against the company and in order to
cover its dirty activities, the only thing Jindals can think of is this
blatantly false compaint and harrassment of Ramesh.
This is predictable. Corporates in India and infact across the world have
tried to do this against those who have raised the voice against the
violators.
Ramesh Aggarwal has participated in almost all the public hearings over the
last few years in Chattisgarh. He has been the most active litigant before
the NEAA. He succeeded before the High Court and recently before the Supreme
Court also. He is truly an inspiration for all access rights proponent in
India and also the world.
It is therefore of utmost importance we as a group work out the best
possible way and means to not only 'save' Ramesh but also take action
against Jindals. (for those not in tune with Jindals, it is a power, steel,
mining company owned by congress Member of Parliament, Navin Jindal).
I look forward to you suggestions, views and support in this crucial time.
Ritwick
--
Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE)
LIFE serves as the Secretariat of The Access Initiative (TAI) - India and
EIA response Centre
N-71 LGF Greater Kailash-I
New Delhi-110048
9810044660
--
Regards
G.Srinivas/Samata
D.No.- 14-37-9, Krishna nagar
Maharanipeta, Visakhapatnam
Mobile : 9989860484
Telefax : 0891-2737662
www.samataindia.org
www.dhimsa.net
Date: Thu, Jun 24, 2010 at 11:57 PM
Subject: [TAI India] Urgent Support and Advice: Ramesh Aggarwal under Threat
To: taiindia@googlegroups.com
Dear TAI members,
Please recall a recent posting on the TAI India list by Ramesh Aggarwal on
the Ministry of Environment and Forest revoking environmental clearance to
Jindal Industries on the ground that they had commenced work prior to
environmental clearances. This was a important and significant victory for
Ramesh and every one concerned at the blatant violation of the law. Earlier,
the NEAA had granted an interim stay on another project of Jindal in view of
violation of the public hearing process.
Today I received a call from Ramesh Aggarwal's son that Jindal company has
filed a Complaint before the Police Station on the ground that Ramesh
Aggawal was trying to extort money from Jindal and is therefore harrassing
the company. A complaint had been filed in Chattisgarh as well as in Delhi.
There is a chance that Ramesh Aggarwal may be arrested any moment.
This is a really serious development. After years of legal battle against
the company, Ramesh had finally suceeded against the company and in order to
cover its dirty activities, the only thing Jindals can think of is this
blatantly false compaint and harrassment of Ramesh.
This is predictable. Corporates in India and infact across the world have
tried to do this against those who have raised the voice against the
violators.
Ramesh Aggarwal has participated in almost all the public hearings over the
last few years in Chattisgarh. He has been the most active litigant before
the NEAA. He succeeded before the High Court and recently before the Supreme
Court also. He is truly an inspiration for all access rights proponent in
India and also the world.
It is therefore of utmost importance we as a group work out the best
possible way and means to not only 'save' Ramesh but also take action
against Jindals. (for those not in tune with Jindals, it is a power, steel,
mining company owned by congress Member of Parliament, Navin Jindal).
I look forward to you suggestions, views and support in this crucial time.
Ritwick
--
Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE)
LIFE serves as the Secretariat of The Access Initiative (TAI) - India and
EIA response Centre
N-71 LGF Greater Kailash-I
New Delhi-110048
9810044660
--
Regards
G.Srinivas/Samata
D.No.- 14-37-9, Krishna nagar
Maharanipeta, Visakhapatnam
Mobile : 9989860484
Telefax : 0891-2737662
www.samataindia.org
www.dhimsa.net
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Miners to be asked to give 26% profit to local area: Minister Press Trust of India, June 4, 2010 (New Delhi)
Miners to be asked to give 26% profit to local area: Minister
Press Trust of India, June 4, 2010 (New Delhi)
The government will make it mandatory for mining companies to earmark 26 per cent of their profit for local and tribal welfare, a move that has found support of the Tatas, Mines Minister B K Hindque said on June 4.
The proposal would be part of the new mines legislation, the draft for which would be sent to the Cabinet later this month, Handique told PTI, adding that the issue of profit sharing for local area development to quell social unrest has been supported by the Tatas.
"We are introducing the annuity of 26 per cent of profit (earned by mining companies) towards CSR... 26 per cent is a convenient one for us and will bring justice to these people," he said, adding that other mining companies have not yet responded to the idea.
"Yes, the Tata Group has backed it...the Tatas came to me the other day. They did appreciate the annuity," Handique said while pointing out that he knew the task was not easy as miners' bodies were opposed to it.
Handique said the draft had been sent some time back to the Law Ministry for approval after extensive consultations with the states and other stake holders.
"We are awaiting vetting of the draft by the Law Ministry... this will come to us next week and then we will go to the Cabinet," he said, hoping that it would be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament, which normally commences in December. "After we introduce the bill, it will be immediately referred to the Standing Committee. It is up to the Standing Committee how much time it takes," he said when asked when the new law would be in place.
Elaborating on the new provision, distinct from a windfall tax on mining, which is under consideration of the Finance Ministry, he said that apart from the government, the industry also has a responsibility to give back to the land from which the resources have been extracted.
"You see, we have certain responsibilities, commitment to the host population. They must be given justice. You will shift them out of their land for your projects. You will not do anything for their welfare? We are very particular on this point," Handique said, adding that he is fully aware that there would be "stiff opposition" to the move.
It is for this reason, the Ministry had eight rounds of consultations with various stake holders besides the 11-mineral bearing states, Handique said, adding the provision in the new Act "will be not palatable to many."
Read more at: http://beta.profit.ndtv.com/news/show/miners-to-be-asked-to-give-26-profit-to-local-area-minister-70196?cp
Press Trust of India, June 4, 2010 (New Delhi)
The government will make it mandatory for mining companies to earmark 26 per cent of their profit for local and tribal welfare, a move that has found support of the Tatas, Mines Minister B K Hindque said on June 4.
The proposal would be part of the new mines legislation, the draft for which would be sent to the Cabinet later this month, Handique told PTI, adding that the issue of profit sharing for local area development to quell social unrest has been supported by the Tatas.
"We are introducing the annuity of 26 per cent of profit (earned by mining companies) towards CSR... 26 per cent is a convenient one for us and will bring justice to these people," he said, adding that other mining companies have not yet responded to the idea.
"Yes, the Tata Group has backed it...the Tatas came to me the other day. They did appreciate the annuity," Handique said while pointing out that he knew the task was not easy as miners' bodies were opposed to it.
Handique said the draft had been sent some time back to the Law Ministry for approval after extensive consultations with the states and other stake holders.
"We are awaiting vetting of the draft by the Law Ministry... this will come to us next week and then we will go to the Cabinet," he said, hoping that it would be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament, which normally commences in December. "After we introduce the bill, it will be immediately referred to the Standing Committee. It is up to the Standing Committee how much time it takes," he said when asked when the new law would be in place.
Elaborating on the new provision, distinct from a windfall tax on mining, which is under consideration of the Finance Ministry, he said that apart from the government, the industry also has a responsibility to give back to the land from which the resources have been extracted.
"You see, we have certain responsibilities, commitment to the host population. They must be given justice. You will shift them out of their land for your projects. You will not do anything for their welfare? We are very particular on this point," Handique said, adding that he is fully aware that there would be "stiff opposition" to the move.
It is for this reason, the Ministry had eight rounds of consultations with various stake holders besides the 11-mineral bearing states, Handique said, adding the provision in the new Act "will be not palatable to many."
Read more at: http://beta.profit.ndtv.com/news/show/miners-to-be-asked-to-give-26-profit-to-local-area-minister-70196?cp
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)