Taking a serious note of nonresponsive attitude of the State Government in submitting a report on displacement and compensation relating to the Kanpur project on river Baitarani in Keonjhar district, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked Chief Secretary AP Padhi to submit report within four weeks or else an order would be issued for personal appearance.
Besides, the NHRC has also sent its Special Rapporteur to investigate into the allegations made in a petition that thousands of displaced people have not been compensated and, thus, are suffering a lot.
The commission issued the above order on a petition and subsequent submissions filed by rights activist and lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy.
“let a final reminder be issued to the Chief Secretary, Odisha directing him to submit the requisite report within four weeks positively failing which the commission would be constrained to secure the same through his personal appearance under section 13 of the PHR Act,” said Tripathy quoting NHRC order.
Tripathy alleged the submitted by the State authorities is silent on the RPDAC meeting and the number of people yet to be settled. “There are no basic infrastructures and people don’t avail bare necessities in the area. Poverty stricken tribal and Dalit villagers will be homeless and forced to die without food, shelter and livelihood if necessary steps are not taken,” said Tripathy He too alleged that no comprehensive report has been prepared with regard to the land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement of villagers as per law.