The Balangir Kriyanusthana Committee, supported by about 40 other civil organisations, on Friday held a massive agitation in Balangir demanding compensation and other necessary facilities for people displaced by the lower Suktel project as per land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act of 2013.
The activists picketed through the Balangir town and closed down the offices of Balangir Collector and Chief Engineer of the project. later, a meeting was held in front of the office of the Collector. “We demand that the displaced be compensated as per land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act of 2013. Besides, all necessary Government facilities should be accorded. This is a symbolic bandh that we are conducting in front of the Collector’s office and other offices related of the project. The agitation would be further intensified if the Government doesn’t give in to our demands,” said Balangir Kriyanusthana Committee president Gopalji Panigrahi.
“The project work is going on but the compensation depends upon the Cabinet decision. We would take necessary action after the Government approves the proposal,” said Chief Executive Engineer of lower Suktel project Belalasen Bhoi.
It may be noted that earlier on April 15 last, the RPDAC (Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee) for the lower Suktel Irrigation Project had taken a decision to recommend the Odisha Government to pay compensation to the families of displaced as per the provisions of the land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. However, seven years after the project started, the displaced are yet to be compensated.