In a continued push that has now intensified, local leaders and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members from the Lanjigarh region gathered under the banner of Lanjigarh Anchalika Vikas Parishad (LAVP) to press for the immediate convening of a Gram Sabha for the allocation of the bauxite mines in Kalahandi.
The delegation met Kalahandi MP Smt. Malvika Devi and submitted a formal memorandum, reinforcing their demand for securing a permanent raw material source essential to the region’s economic stability. The memorandum urged the MP to raise the matter with the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and called on the state government to exercise its authority to expedite the Gram Sabha process without further delay.
Led by LAVP President Shri Sridhar Pesnia, the delegation included grassroots representatives from across Lanjigarh block, including youth leaders, youth club members, self-help groups, local families, etc. The group conveyed that despite being the first mega-industry in the district, the Lanjigarhalumina refinery continues to suffer due to the lack of a captive bauxite mine. This operational uncertainty, they said, has constrained the plant from running at full capacity for over 20 years, impacting jobs, incomes, and ancillary businesses that rely heavily on its sustained functioning. The memorandum further highlighted a growing sense of neglect towards the refinery, especially when compared to the support received by similar industries in the Rayagada and Koraput districts.
Addressing the delegation, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Smt. Malvika Devi, assured the group of her support and said, “The people of Lanjigarh have brought forward a clear and consistent demand to hold the Gram Sabha immediately and enable the opening of local bauxite reserves in Kalahandi. They believe this will unlock new opportunities for the entire region and peripheral areas. As their elected representative, I will raise this matter at the appropriate levels.”
Former Member of Parliament, Shri Arka Keshari Deo, also extended his support to the demand, stating, “The Lanjigarh refinery was envisioned as a catalyst for Kalahandi’s development. But for a plant to thrive, uninterrupted raw material is non-negotiable. This long-standing demand from the people of Lanjigarh is both legitimate and urgent. We will take up the matter with the State and Central governments to ensure Kalahandi gets the industrial backing it deserves.”
The LAVP has reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful and constructive advocacy to ensure the region’s voice is heard. The delegation emphasised that sustainable industrial development, driven by community consent and sustainable mining, holds the key to long-term prosperity in Kalahandi.
Those supporting the appeal included:
