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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Red flag to green steel

Ex-Maoists forge new destiny in Gadchiroli Gadchiroli: The rugged, forested terrain of Gadchiroli district, long synonymous with the violence and deep-rooted anti-establishment tenets of the ‘Red Ideology’, is now witnessing a remarkable social and industrial transformation. At the Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd. (LMEL) plant in Konsari, once-feared Maoist operatives are shedding their past lives and embracing a new, respectable existence as skilled workers in a cutting-edge Direct Reduced Iron...

Red flag to green steel

Ex-Maoists forge new destiny in Gadchiroli Gadchiroli: The rugged, forested terrain of Gadchiroli district, long synonymous with the violence and deep-rooted anti-establishment tenets of the ‘Red Ideology’, is now witnessing a remarkable social and industrial transformation. At the Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd. (LMEL) plant in Konsari, once-feared Maoist operatives are shedding their past lives and embracing a new, respectable existence as skilled workers in a cutting-edge Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and pellet plant. This ‘green steel’ project, part of LMEL’s push for an integrated steel complex in the region, is functioning not just as an industrial unit but as a crucial pillar in the Maharashtra government’s surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy. So far, LMEL, in coordination with the state government and the Gadchiroli Police, has provided employment and training to 68 surrendered Maoists and 14 members of families affected by Naxal violence, a total of 82 individuals, offering them a definitive pathway back to the mainstream. The Shift The transformation begins at the company’s dedicated Lloyds Skill Development and Training Centre at Konsari. Recognizing that many former cadres had limited formal education, the company implements a structured, skill-based rehabilitation model. They are trained in essential technical and operational skills required for plant administration, civil construction, and mechanical operations. For individuals like Govinda Atala, a former deputy commander, the change is palpable. “After surrendering, I got the right to live a new life,” Atala said. “I am very happy to get this job. I am now living my life on my own; there is no pressure on me now.” Suresh Hichame, who spent over a decade in the movement before surrendering in 2009 too echoed the sentiments. He realized the path of violence offered neither him nor his family any benefit. Moreover, his self-respecct was hurt. He knew several languages and carried out several crucial tasks for the banned organization remaining constantly under the shadow of death. Today, he works in the plant, receiving a steady monthly salary that enables him to care for his family—a basic dignity the ‘Red Ideology’ could never provide. The monthly salaries of the rehabilitated workers, typically ranging from Rs 13,000 to Rs 20,000, are revolutionary in a region long characterized by poverty and lack of opportunities. Trust, Stability The employment of former Maoists is a brave and calculated risk for LMEL, an industry that historically faced stiff opposition and even violence from the left wing extremist groups. LMEL’s management, however, sees it as an investment in inclusive growth and long-term stability for the district. The LMEL has emphasized the company’s commitment to training and facilitating career growth for the local populace, including the surrendered cadres. This commitment to local workforce upskilling is proving to be a highly effective counter-insurgency strategy, chipping away at the foundation of the Maoist movement: the exploitation of local grievances and lack of economic options. The reintegration effort extends beyond the factory floor. By providing stable incomes and a sense of purpose, LMEL helps the former rebels navigate the social transition. They are now homeowners, taxpayers, and active members of the community, replacing the identity of an outlaw with that of a respected employee. This social acceptance, coupled with economic independence, is the true measure of rehabilitation. The successful employment of cadres, some of whom were once high-ranking commanders, also sends a powerful message to those still active in the jungle: the path to a peaceful and prosperous life is open and tangible. It transforms the promise of government rehabilitation into a concrete reality. The plant, with its production of iron ore and steel, is physically transforming the region into an emerging industrial hub, and in doing so, it is symbolically forging the nation’s progress out of the ashes of extremism. The coordinated effort between private industry, the state government, and the Gadchiroli police is establishing a new environment of trust, stability, and economic progress, marking Gadchiroli’s transition from a Maoist hotbed to a model of inclusive and sustainable development.

Bribery Storm

Updated: Nov 25, 2024

Gautam Adani, the magnate who arguably symbolizes the economic ascendancy of the ‘new’ India, now finds himself entangled in a web of allegations after U.S. prosecutors indicted him, his nephew Sagar Adani, and six associates in an alleged $250 million bribery scheme. The charges are concerned with fraud, international complicity and the misuse of power to secure lucrative solar energy contracts.


The indictment, issued by the Eastern District of New York, accuses the defendants of bribing Indian officials to facilitate the purchase of solar power from the state-owned Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). The alleged scheme sought to transform undelivered energy deals into a $2 billion post-tax profit over two decades. But the fallout has been swift: a $600 million bond offering cancelled, share prices of Adani companies plunging by nearly 20%, and a renewed debate over the intersection of business and politics in India.


SECI’s inability to find buyers for its power contracts reflects the inefficiencies of India’s energy sector, where opaque processes and political interference are commonplace. When SECI failed to secure agreements with state electricity companies, bribes became the supposed lubricant to move deals forward. This is not merely an Adani problem - it is symptomatic of a system that often rewards those with the deepest pockets and the most powerful connections. While a thorough probe is needed, the timing of the U.S. indictment is curious. It coincides with mounting global scrutiny of India’s corporate governance, particularly following the Hindenburg Research report earlier this year, which had accused the Adani Group of stock manipulation.


The biggest opposition party, the Congress, is always eager to connect the dots between the embattled tycoon and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, wasted no time painting the scandal as proof of a deeper collusion between PM Modi and his billionaire ally. But this narrative glosses over uncomfortable truths. The bribery allegations date back to 2021-2022, a period when several implicated states were under Congress or allied rule. From Chhattisgarh to Tamil Nadu, governments of varying political hues engaged with the Adani Group, benefiting from the infrastructure investments it promised. If the bribes indeed flowed, they implicate not just Adani but also a political ecosystem spanning the ideological spectrum.


There is also the matter of the U.S.’s motivations. The indictment’s timing raises questions about the West’s broader agenda concerning India. Critics argue that such cases are part of a pattern — whether through NGOs, think tanks, or legal actions — to undermine India’s rising global stature. The narratives, whether about alleged electoral interference, human rights, or now corruption, serve to project India’s success as precarious and undeserved. This case highlights the dual standards at play. While the indictment demands accountability from Adani and his associates, it must not distract from the systemic failures that allowed such corruption to take root.

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