Orissa Tribals Want Settlement First

Orissa tribals want settlement first

by Press Trust Of India / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar

2nd March 2006

Amidst the raging debate over Orissa's industrialisation, tribal activist Tulasi Munda said rehabilitation must take place before setting up any industry.

Munda, who attended a meeting convened by the group of ministers (GoM) of the state government to record views from activists and bureaucrats to formulate a comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement policy, said industrialisation should not cause anyone to become landless.

Presenting a host of suggestions at the meeting, she said, "Let rehabilitation take place before industrialisation. Nobody should become landless because of industries are to be set up. Let the local people decide whether they want industries in their respective areas or not."

People should not also be resettled away from the industries.

Rather they should be located on the periphery of the project site to reap the benefits of industrialisation, Munda said.