Accelerating economic development vital for combating extremism, asserts Assam, defending the distribution of 3,000 bigha land to a cement company for tribal communities.
The State government of Assam and the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) have submitted documents and a report following a probe by a three-member committee, after a cement plant project in the tribal district of Dima Hasao was brought before the High Court.
Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi, presiding over the case, emphasised the importance of economic development not coming at the cost of the environment. He stated that he is not concerned about external uproar and that action can be taken against those misusing the observations.
The Assam government has decided to allot 3,000 bighas of land in Dima Hasao for the construction of the cement plant. The land, leased for 30 years, will have an annual revenue rate of ₹250 per bigha and a one-time land premium of ₹2 lakh per bigha. The investor behind the project is Hindustan Power Projects Pvt. Ltd., with Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGCL) also involved.
Devajit Saikia, the Assam government's Advocate General, defended the decision to allot land for the cement plant, stating that economic growth is essential to rid the region of extremism and improve the economic conditions. He expressed concern that if the investor leaves due to any reason, it would be a sad day for Assam.
During the hearing on August 12, the High Court expressed shock at the allocation of a large piece of land to a private company in a district under the 6 Schedule of the Indian Constitution, where primacy has to be given to the rights of local tribals. The Court has asked the NCHAC to place the records related to the allotment before the Court.
Saikia stated that no inhabitants currently exist in the area, and all infrastructure will be built from scratch. The cement plant is expected to bring an investment of nearly ₹11,000 crores and employ nearly 5,000 people, with an estimated 20,000 people living in the area.
The Court granted other stakeholders three weeks to respond to the State government's affidavit and listed the case for further hearing on September 24. The case remains a contentious issue, with Justice Medhi emphasising that economic development cannot be at the cost of the environment, and the High Court seeking to ensure the rights of local tribals are protected.
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