At least 2.5 lakh tonne coal production and supply to consumers was lost from Talcher coalfields of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) due to stoppage of operations by the supporters of the local MLA, demanding benefits from company beyond the extent of Government of Odisha’s R&R Policy-2006.

Mining operations at all the projects in Talcher coalfields were forcibly stopped by MLA Braja Kishore Pradhan’s supporters after an eviction drive was conducted at Government land in Naikshahi of Bhalugadia village, which was acquired by the company under CBA Act in year 2007.

There were 41 families unauthorisedly living at Naikshahi of Bhalugadia, out of which 33 families were provided complete compensation package, including employment by the MCL, under R&R Policy-2006 of the Odisha Government against their tenancy land in Bhalugadia village.

Remaining eight families were landless and occupying Government land at Naikshahi which was acquired by MCL since 2007. However, MCL had sanctioned cost of structure and Rs 1.2 lakh as per Indira Awas Yojana for these landless occupant families, along with Rs 1 lakh as relocation assistance.

With rising demand of coal from the industry and depletion of space to operate at Hingula opencast project, the MCL has been forced to take possession of Naikshai of Bhalugadia village.

Many initiatives were taken by the company and district administration to take possession of the Government land for coal mining, but Bhalugadia villagers continued to stop operation in one or the other pretext, despite receiving compensation package and joining service of MCL.

Meanwhile, Balram opencast project (OCP) of MCL remained paralysed for last 20 days due to shutdown imposed by Solada and Danara villages.