The visit of the Energy department Secretary Pradeep Jena to settle the problems of affected villages of the proposed OTPCl at Kadalipal, Marichakan, Mahuli, Nuangabila and Kusumjodi villages is viewed as a farce by the affected people here.
A meeting of the OTPCl Parimal Khyatigrastha Praja Samiti held at Marichakan where over 200 people from all affected villages attended, discarded the visit.
The villagers complained that although Jena moved in their villages, he didn’t step down from his vehicle for a single minute. The local administration didn’t inform the locals regarding the visit too. Even Kadalipal village president Gadadhar Mahabhoi and Marichakan village president Prasant Biswal weren’t aware of the visit.
It may be noted here the affected villagers had held a rally demanding better compensation and valuation of their lands on May 27 last and submitted a memorandum to the Kamakhyanagar Revenue Officer for the Chief Minister.
“We’ll intensify our agitation, if the administration tries to cheat the poor like in earlier cases,” warned samiti convener Debashisha Hota.