land losers of the de-allocated Gopalprasad West coal block continued to halt operations in the Hingula area of the Mahanadi Coalfields limited (MCl) for consecutive 21st day on Tuesday, demanding employments against their land.
The Mahanadi Coalfields limited (MCl) has been witnessing a production loss of around 10,000 tonne per day at its 12-mt Hingula project at Talcher due to agitation since April 15.
At least 128 hectares out of the coal block’s 290 hectares at Bhalugadia village along with Utkal-A block had been allocated to the MJSJ ltd, a joint venture of the MCl, Jindal Power, Jindal Steel and Shyam DRI formed in the year 2005. The Gopalprasad West coal block had been originally acquired by the Mahanadi Coalfields limited (MCl).
While the Utkal-A block featured in the list of de-allocated blocks after a Supreme Court verdict, status of 128 hectares land of Bhalugudia village lies unclear.
The Mahanadi Coalfields limited (MCl) has already offered jobs to 56 families of Bhalugadia village where as 62 families, whose lands were allocated to the MJSJ ltd, are yet to get employments. They are demanding jobs in the company.
Meanwhile, the company CMD has written to the Ministry seeking clarification with regards to the status of the 128 hectares.