42 years after Army college project, Odisha to rehabilitate 1,371 fishing families

A total of 1,371 families will get rehabilitation 42 years after being displaced from their villages in Odisha's Ganjam district due to a defence project.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday launched a rehabilitation and resettlement package worth Rs 75.60 crore for the affected families.

In 1984, around 24 acres of land was acquired in Golabandha, a predominantly fishing village, for setting up an Army Air Defence College, but they did not receive rehabilitation, official sources said.

Majhi, at an event in Golabandha, said all displaced families will receive a one-time payment of Rs 5 lakh each in their bank accounts.

Also, a colony would be established for them at Kirtipur, around 3 km from Golabandha, at Rs 4.25 crore. It will have an Anganwadi centre, streetlights, public toilets, a cyclone shelter and a jetty, he said.

The government has sanctioned Rs 2.8 crore for improving the infrastructure of the colony.

Addressing the gathering, Majhi alleged that the demands of the displaced families were ignored for several years by the Congress and BJD governments.

"However, the double-engine government has resolved the problem of displaced families," Majhi said.

The CM also distributed land and homestead 'pattas' (rights) to 96 of the 112 families affected by Cheligada Medium Irrigation Project. These affected people would be rehabilitated at Santrapur in Digapahandi with 10 decimals of homestead land and two acres of farmland each.

The remaining families will receive their 'pattas' shortly, officials said, adding that the completion of the Cheligada Project next year will irrigate over 6,000 hectares of farmland across Ganjam and Gajapati districts.

The chief minister also outlined plans to modernise Arjipalli fishing harbour, establish 28 fish landing centres, expand Gopalpur Port, and set up a Rs 21,500-crore mega port at Bahuda in Ganjam district.

Besides, an investment of over Rs 40,000 crore across 14 projects at the Gopalpur Industrial Park will create employment for about 18,000 people, the CM said.

He said with the ongoing pace of industrialisation, more than 5 lakh jobs are expected to be created in the state over the next two years. He urged the youth to be skilled to avail opportunities.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Transport Minister B B Jena, Fisheries and Animal Resource Development Minister Gokalanda Mallick also attended the event.