A large number of displaced families of the IOCl refinery project under the banner of the East Odisha Industrial Development Council staged a demonstration in front of the plant at Paradip on Wednesday, halting its construction activities.
An official release said that the stir led to a complete halt and shutdown of construction and commissioning preparedness activities of the refinery project.
“The office bearers of the Union were called for discussion on their grievances on October 13 and 14. They were assured that one nominated member from each of 49 displaced families of the refinery project, who have opted for engagement in lieu of cash compensation, will be given engagement and the process for the same would be completed very soon. Despite this they resorted to the strike,” an official release said.
It said the agitators blocked the main access from National Highway 5A to the refinery and civil township at Zero Point, at the gate of the civil township and en route to the refinery at railway over bridge, refinery main gate and labour entry gate, and completely paralysed the refinery project.
A total of 3,334 acres of land was acquired by the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) for the refinery, mostly in 1999-2000, it informed.
It added that of the 143 families, 94 families opted for cash compensation in lieu of preference in employment. Cash Compensation was paid accordingly. The 49 displaced families of 143 chose the option for preference in engagement for one nominated member of each family in Paradip refinery, the release informed.