Thousands of people, including women, farmers unemployed youths, under the banner of Essar land losers’ and Displaced Welfare Society have warned to intensify their agitation against the Essar Steel on February 22 if their 12-point charter of demands are not met by then.
Though Essar Steel had acquired 1,268 acres of land in Udayabata, Handia, Bijayachandrapur and Nuagada villages in the past, several affected persons are yet to be compensated, they alleged.
Addressing a Press conference held on Saturday, Society president Satya Prakash Mohanty said the company has turned deaf years to the legitimate demands of the people which include appropriate compensation for land and livelihood they lost, jobs in the plant and rehabilitation package as per the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy.
“The members of all the displaced families have not been provided employment in the plant. The company has not kept its promise, forcing the locals to resort to agitation. The company authorities should at least provide job to one member of each of the displaced family,” said Mohanty.