As many as 143 families which were displaced for the proposed IOCl refinery project at Paradip five years ago lamented that the refinery has been ignoring their claim for jobs and rehabilitation package. The aggrieved victims have warned of an agitation if their concerns were not properly addressed.
The victims revealed that in 2010, about 143 families had been displaced for the project of which 65 families had been assured of houses and jobs. Ironically though the project will be inaugurated shortly, but neither the IOCl nor the State Government kept its promises of jobs and due rehabilitation to the displaced families, lamented Bibekananda Behera, a leader of the displaced families. He also said that Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan put distorted information before the lok Sabha on the rehabilitation issue pertaining to the IOCl displaced at Paradip. Pradhan had told that 143 families have been identified as displaced families of the IOCl project in Paradip and 94 families have been provided cash compensation. 35 families have been engaged in the project, Pradhan had told.
The Union Minister had also told that Rs 323.78 lakh has been spent for implementation of R&R Policy 2002. Similarly, Rs 136.5 lakh has been spent towards cash compensation to the displaced families through the district administration.
Another leader Achuytananda Swain said not a single youth was provided job in the refinery. Only a few were engaged in menial jobs through outsourcing mode. The State Government had assured 65 families of providing 10 decimals of land each at Dhinkia. But no step has been taken to keep that promise too, said Swain.