Mining lobby ‘hijacked’ Ajmer hearing on Aravallis, allege people’s groups

By A Representative 

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Rajasthan, along with several people’s organisations, has criticised the public hearing held in Ajmer on the Aravalli region, alleging that the exercise was reduced to a “mere formality” and was dominated by representatives of the mining industry.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the organisations questioned the functioning of the High Powered Committee constituted by the Supreme Court to examine issues concerning the Aravallis, including ecology, livelihoods, social and economic conditions, water resources and groundwater, mining, employment and animal husbandry.

The organisations said a comprehensive assessment of the Aravalli region could not be undertaken through a programme covering nine districts in just four days. They also objected to the decision to allocate only one hour for the Ajmer hearing, with participants reportedly being given around two minutes each to make their submissions.

According to the organisations, they had submitted the names of 11 representatives from Ajmer, Jaipur, Beawar, Bhim and Bhilwara to present people’s concerns, but only a few were allowed to speak.

They alleged that the hearing was “systematically hijacked” by the mining lobby, with large numbers of mining operators and other stakeholders reportedly brought in from Nagaur and Makrana. The organisations claimed that hundreds of people associated with the mining business repeatedly raised their hands during the proceedings, which they said raised questions about the role of the administration.

The statement further alleged that there had been no adequate public outreach ahead of the hearing, including the absence of newspaper notices and sufficient publicity. As a result, the participation of rural communities was limited, the groups claimed.

Instead, they alleged, the presence of government officials and business representatives created an appearance of public participation. Representatives of people’s organisations who objected to the conduct of the hearing were allegedly discouraged from speaking, while several sections were denied an opportunity to present their views.

The organisations said any meaningful assessment of the Aravallis must involve rural communities, farmers, pastoralists, environmental activists, scientists, geologists and experts on water and groundwater. They demanded that the committee visit rural and mining-affected areas and directly assess the conditions of communities affected by mining, including families of workers suffering from silicosis.

They also raised concerns over the composition of the High Powered Committee, arguing that the representation of relevant stakeholders was inadequate. The organisations questioned the presence of the chairperson and two members who, according to the statement, represent a department that had earlier recommended that only hills rising more than 100 metres be treated as part of the Aravallis.

The absence of an environmental activist from the committee was also criticised. The organisations alleged that the composition of the committee raised concerns about whether the process would adequately prioritise the protection of the Aravalli range.

The groups also alleged that representatives of the mining lobby used threatening and abusive language against members of people’s organisations during and after the hearing. According to the statement, some mining representatives confronted activists outside the venue, leading to heated arguments and threats.

Calling the alleged intimidation unacceptable, the organisations said a public hearing should provide a safe and democratic forum in which citizens can freely raise concerns.

The organisations have demanded an extension of the tenure of the High Powered Committee, a transparent and meaningful process for public participation, adequate opportunities for all affected communities and stakeholders to present their views, and a comprehensive study covering all districts of the Aravalli region.

They have also sought field visits to rural and mining-affected areas, a direct assessment of mining’s impact on communities and silicosis-affected workers and their families, and a comprehensive ecological, social, economic and hydrological assessment before the committee reaches any final conclusions.

The statement was endorsed by representatives of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, Save Aravalli, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Save Dol Ka Badh Movement, Shahabad Valley Sangharsh Samiti, Climate Action for Youth, Jaldhara, People for Aravalli and other organisations.

The groups said that if the committee failed to make the process genuinely participatory and inclusive, people’s organisations would organise their own public hearings at different locations across the Aravalli region.