Expressing serious displeasure over lackadaisical attitude of Odisha Government, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned State Chief Secretary to submit a compliance report of recommendation made by its Special Rapporteur and Action Taken Reports on additional submission filed by petitioner stating present condition and human rights violation of Indravati evictees, for more than three decades. It may be pertinent to note here that NHRC has been passing a series of directions since 2013, adjudicating petitions and submissions filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist, Radhakanta Tripathy. Stating failure, negligence and inaction of State of Odisha, Tripathy alleged that despite lapse of substantial period of time ,after investigation of case in 2018, direction was passed by Commission to send compliance report on thirty two recommendations made by Commission for protection of human rights and overall development of affected area.
Earlier, acting on a petition filed by Tripathy in 2013, NHRC directed Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, to constitute a team of responsible officers to look after needs & problems of rehabilitated persons but that was yet to be complied with. Tripathy further alleged that State authorities have been playing dirty tricks of consuming time and delaying process of ensuring basic human rights of lakhs of victims most of whom are 3rd generation. The Special Rapporteur has visited few areas and submitted interim report explaining therein tragic condition of human life due to failure and inaction of State. Tripathy drew attention of NHRC for a permanent solution of issue of human rights of victims in a time bound manner. He too requested NHRC to solve problems faced by victims for generations regarding denial of basic amenities to hundreds of villagers belonging to Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi and Koraput districts due to Indravati Hydro Electric Power Project.
Considering non-responsive attitude of State officials & comments of complainant, NHRC asked Chief Secretary for submission of additional report in light of comments of complainant within four weeks, failing which Commission would be constrained to issue coercive process.