Strong resentment is brewing among the land losers of Remuna as even eight years after their lands were acquired by the Idco, they have not got a single penny till date. Worse still, since the land acquisitions have been made under a special Act, they are not able to sell the lands further.
The Idco targeted to acquire 1,099 acres of land for the land bank to cater to the need of the upcoming industries. District Collector Ramesh Rout admitting the fact said he could do little as the department was yet to release the amount.
“Ever since I joined as Collector I have had several meetings with the concerned officials. Even the issue was raised in the High Power Committee (HPC) meeting. But unfortunately, the problem lies there,” said Rout, adding that the day money comes, it would be released forthwith without delay.
Notably, the lands were acquired for land bank by the Idco in nine revenue mouzas, such as Balagopalpur, Jenabarei, Jhinkimundali, Gobindapur, Gopalgaon, Gahalgaon, Bangra, Mukhura, Nuapadhi and Gunupur under Remuna block since 2011. These lands were acquired by the Idco under Section 4 of the Act . Idco acquired the land to facilitate land transfer to new industries but till now neither any new units came up in the area except expansion project of the Emami paper mills, nor the affected received any compensation in lieu of the lands.
The affected resented that they are left with no money to face exigencies like health related issues, marriages and higher education of the wards etc. Meanwhile, the cost of the lands acquired has escalated from Rs 140 crore to about Rs 700 crore now.
Land Acquisition Officer (LAO) Manoj Senapati said the Government was apprised on the matter and things are under process.
Idco GM Susanta Mohanty, however, said in the initial phase Rs 21 crore was released towards compensation, yet after vehement opposition by the losers over the compensation rate, the same was stalled and compensation in revised rate for disbursal was under process.