Local MP Mahesh Sahoo, who is leading the project-affected people since long, has demanded that the NALCO management submit its reports on CSR and RR issues for last three years.
Attending a high-level meeting at the Angul Collector’s Office along with the NALCO CMD and the Collector, Sahu confronted with the NALCO CMD on issues of employment and CSR works. He sought a report on issues of local employment in the company.
Praja Sangha president Dibya Ranjan Das and general secretary SS Samal raised pollution and other environmental issues. They also demanded appointment of ITI-trained land oustees in the company and filling up of all vacancies.
Recently, MP Mahesh Sahoo had staged a dharna in front of the NALCO smelter plant demanding employment to affected people and peripheral development.
Also recently, in a reply in Lok Sabha, Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi said the NALCO employed 633 out of 635 people as rehabilitation for their displacement due to the NALCO projects. Out of 35 displaced persons at Angul, 34 or their nominees were employed. However, the Minister was silent on appointment of others including sponsored ITI-trained locals and jobs for all those affected by the plant.
Besides, the NALCO has faced opposition from locals to develop the Utkal D and Utkal E coal blocks at Chhendipada of Angul even after six long years of their allotment on the issues of employment, compensation and rehabilitation. The Government of India has allocated these two coal blocks to the NALCO in May 2016 for coal supply to its captive power plant. The company was supposed to develop the coal blocks within 44 months after their allotment. Seven villages of Chhendipada block, namely, Nandichod, Raijharan, Kosala, Gopinathpur, Jungle, Kundajharinala and Similisahi would be affected by coalmining. Around 700 extended families of these villages would be displaced. Recently, cases have been filed against 20 villagers opposing the NALCO management on employment and rehabilitation issues. After it, the company has come forward to start mining works.