Amnesty rejected our offer for engagement: Vedanta
Press Trust of India / New Delhi Feb 09, 2010, 16:37 IST
Vedanta Resources today questioned the Amnesty report saying allegations levelled in it against Lanjigarh refinery were based on "outdated document" and challenge the credibility of India's regulatory framework.
"Vedanta has repeatedly offered engagement, including joint verification of allegations in eight villages and duologue on every aspect of the Amnesty report, most recently in formal correspondence at the start of February 2010. But this offer of direct engagement has been rejected," the company said in a statement shortly after the release of the report.
Reacting to the allegations levelled against it by the Amnesty International in its report released today, Vedanta said: "The report implicitly criticises a number of highly respected Indian governmental, regulatory and independent assessment organisations, including the Hon’ble Supreme Court and the State of Orissa, all of whom have reviewed, refined and endorsed the approach manifested by Vedanta."
The Amnesty report had alleged that Alumina mining in Orissa by Vedanta has affected the communities living and led to violations of human rights.
Meanwhile, Orissa's Steel and Mines Minister Raghunath Mohanty said, "if any environment related or human rights issue comes to the overnment's notice, we will intervene in the matter."
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