The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Forests and Environment Special Secretary to submit details of compensation paid to the farmers, whose crops were damaged by a polluting corporate in Koraput district.
Acting on a petition filed by rights campaigner Subash Mohapatra, the rights body has found Bilt Graphic Paper Products ltd guilty of pollution as it has devastated the farmers’ livelihood. The crops were damaged due to discharge of waste water by the company.
The top official was asked to submit report within six weeks.
The State Government has submitted its action-taken report (ATR) which has stated that suitable compensation has been awarded to affected farmers.
The commission observed discrepancies in the ATR and stated, “The report reveals that requisite action has been taken by the concerned authorities and compensation has been paid to the farmers in accordance with the damages. But in the letter dated 8.5.15, total 49 farmers are said to have been provided compensation whereas only 31 farmers have been mentioned in the annexure who have received compensation,” the NHRC observed.
The commission further directed to submit the details of compensation paid to the remaining 18 farmers along with proof of payment.
Meanwhile, the petitioner demanded that the State should come clean on the policies on the loss and damages caused by the corporate in the State.
“The corporate should respect the environmental norms. The mere compensation does not help the affected farmers. The State Government should take stringent action against the company as it is found guilty,” said Mohapatra.