The Orissa High Court has issued notices to Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary and the Raygada district Collector asking them to replay in four weeks in connection with de-recognition of the displaced association of the Utkal Alumina refinery project.
Justice SK Mishra issued the notices during a hearing on August 25, said lawyer Sankar Prasad Pani.
The Odisha Government had acquired land measuring 1,015 hactres for Utkal Alumina’s refinery project at Doraguda in Rayagada in 1995. However the project got delayed due to various reasons and could commence production in 2013. In the meantime, the land losers halted the operation of the unit alleging they didn’t get any benefit from the project. Subsequently, an elected committee comprising representatives of all 24 project-affected villages had been formed on the suggestion of the district Collector to put for grievances. However, the Collector refused to recognise such an elected body later.
As the Collector rejected the duly-elected body, working president of the association Kasthi uruk had moved a petition before the High Court through lawyer Pani. Conducting a hearing on the petition, the HC has issued notices, said Pani.