ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the current practice of development neo-liberal capitalist development and the consequent marginalization, exclusion and tribal conflict over development, which forms the point of departure for the present research. It unveils Vedanta’s intrusion into Odisha and the tribal hinterland of Lanjigarh in Kalahandi, and unfolds the case of two Panchayats, where the empirical work was carried out. The chapter explains the manifestation of exclusion and marginalization of tribal people of Lanjigarh in the context displacement due to the Vedanta Project. It concludes with a critical question as to what is meant by development and how far would people’s voice matter in development. The post-1980 efforts towards decentralization and subsequent devolution of power for inclusion of marginalized groups that intend to empower the local communities as opposed to a centralized state, have also paradoxically coexisted with neo-liberal policies of capitalist development, which has increased the power of the state over local communities.
