The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Odisha Human Rights Commission to act over the rehabilitation of 22 dalit families who are virtually landless due to repair of Salandi-Nalia rivers embankment.
The apex human rights watchdog acted on a petition filed by human rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy recently over the case.
“There are more than 50 families staying on the embankment of Salandi-Nalia rivers, who are on the verge of displacement. Though the Bhadrak district administration of has identified 22 families, who have been residing in their houses on the Government plots, are not rehabilitated as per Government norms and parameters. About 20 BPl dalit families of Bilana Jena Sahi (a small dalit hamlet) have not been allocated alternate plots to be rehabilitated. Therefore their rehabilitation with alternate plots and Indira AwasYojana and other welfare schemes of the Government is utmost important,” alleged Radhakanta.
He urged the national human rights commission to direct the State to act on war footing to complete the first phase rehabilitation and land acquisition within three months and initiate second phase rehabilitation at the earliest and complete the Process within one year.
Acting on the complaint the apex human rights watchdog directed the OHRC to ensure their proper rehabilitation and rights.