Odisha Human Rights Commission Chairperson BK Patel on Monday visited Jharsuguda and discussed various problems and their solutions with intellectuals, lawyers, district-level officials and common people.
Locals apprised the commission about the problems faced by them due to industrial pollution, lack of jobs to locals, settlement of displaced persons losing land for mines and industries, illegal parking on the roadsides, theft of natural products and health issues. They alleged that the Pollution Board is not taking any steps to check the rising pollution causing health hazards.
As a result, Jharsuguda residents are suffering from major diseases like cancer, liver damage, kidney failure, TB and heart problems which have no proper treatment facilities in the district. The requested for immediate steps to control pollution and provide quality health service in the district. They also requested to remove unemployment by providing 70 per cent jobs to local youths and prevent violence against minor girls by quick investigation, increase in seats in old age homes and widow shelter homes managed out of the DMF funds and check illegal lifting of sand, earth, chips and coal, etc.
Patel discussed with the district administration on various ways and means to solve the problems faced by the residents.District Collector Saroj Kumar Samal apprised the commission about the various steps taken by the administration to control pollution, imposition of heavy penalty for illegal parking and construction of truck terminals.District SP Bikash Chandra Das, Child Welfare Committee Chairperson Anandini Padhi, District Bar Association president Trinath Gual, among others, were also present on the occasion.