Brinda Karat Criticizes Chhattisgarh’s Greenlight for Hasdeo Mining

Quick Summary

• Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat has written to Union Minister Bhupender Yadav opposing the chhattisgarh government’s recent approval to divert 1,742 hectares of dense forest land in the Hasdeo region for coal mining purposes.
• The project in question is the Kente Extension Coal Block Open Mine Project by Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam (RVUNL). Developer and operator: Adani conglomerate.
• The Forest department approved the proposal based on a June 26 recommendation letter following an inspection by Surguja District Forest Officer Abhishek Jogawat. Criticism surfaced online on August 4 via PARIVESH website.
• Ms. Karat contends that public interest is absent and alleges exploitation of resources for private gain, ignoring constitutional provisions requiring gram sabha consent and past objections from local communities (>1,500 complaints).
• Opposition Congress leaders and environmentalists have also criticized the approval, demanding its cancellation due to ecological concerns and perceived prioritization of corporate benefits over peopel’s interests.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The controversy surrounding the diversion of forest land in Hasdeo highlights ongoing tensions between India’s developmental aspirations and environmental preservation efforts. While coal projects play a notable role in meeting rising energy demands, critiques like those from Brinda Karat underscore concerns about marginalized voices-such as villagers impacted-and possible violations of governance protocols like mandatory gram sabha consultations.

In broader terms, this debate raises critical questions about balancing ecological sustainability with industrial growth amid India’s larger climate change commitments globally. As such projects attract scrutiny from opposition parties and activists alike, their implications can shape discourse not only around policy compliance but also public confidence toward government actions involving communal resources.Read More: Link