Overview
- Residents of Balda and Banur say Gram Sabha resolutions that cleared diversion of forest land for Kalinga Alumina’s bauxite project contain forged signatures and were held after backdated notices.
- Government records show Kalinga Alumina obtained conditional Stage‑I forest clearance that required Forest Rights Act processes and Gram Sabha consent before diversion could proceed.
- Villagers report they filed a detailed complaint with the police in February and attached photos and a General Diary entry to support claims that deceased or absent people’s signatures appear on the resolutions.
- Local and national opposition figures have publicly raised the matter and pointed to similar complaints in Rayagada and Kalahandi, increasing political scrutiny of bauxite clearances in southern Odisha.
- Key unanswered questions include verification of the alleged forgeries, whether FRA procedures were lawfully completed, and why law enforcement and district authorities have not made a public filing of an FIR or launched a formal probe.