The third Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC) of the lower Suktel Irrigation Project met here on Saturday under chairmanship of Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Northern Division) DV Swami.
Attending the meeting, leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Narasingha Mishra, district Collector Arindam Dakua, Subarnapur district Collector Dasrathi Satpahty and lower Suktel irrigation project officials discussed many issues relating the project, affected villagers’ demand of implementation of 2013 land Acquisition policy. Villagers of affected villages, including Pardhiapali, attended the meeting.
“The Balangir Collector has been asked to hold meeting every month to look into people’s grievances. Although the project is opposed, we will carry all people and expedite the project,” said the RDC.
Pardhiapali villagers led by Rabindra Gadtya submitted a 10-point charter of demands to the RDC. The demands include measures for protecting them from flood during the coming rainy season and repair of their houses and school building.
All most all members opined that the Suktel project be completed early for development of Balangir district. The project officials have been asked to take steps for preventing rain water from entering villagers near the dam, said Mishra.
However, the Budi Anchal Sangram Parishad said it would continue to oppose the construction of lower Suktel dam over River Suktel.
“We are for zero displacement policy. If the Government has courage and sincerity let it construct number of barrages in river Suktel for optimum utilization of river water,” said Udaya Singh Thakur of the Parishad.
The lower Suktel Irrigation sanctioned in 1996-97 with a project cost of 217.13 crore and its foundation laid by CM Naveen Patnaik in November 2001 is yet to be completed due to stiff opposition by displaced and affected villagers. Besides, the project also face financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 64 crore.
Once completed, the project would provide irrigation to 31, 830 hectares of land in Balangir and Subarnapur districts.