Adani Power has reduced its land requirement and dropped two villages from its original list of affected area while accepting the demands of locals that was also reflected in the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report.
Against the earlier demand placed for 2121.59 acres of raiyati land for its 1600 MW upcoming power plant in Godda, the company has brought it down to 1214.49 acres.
The decision has come in the light of public hearing, which took place in December and also based on the all important SIA assessment report prepared.
“Our original demand for land covered 10 villages of Godda and Podaiyahat blocks. But later, the company realised that the plant can be built on 1214.49 acres of raiyati land and 148.66 acres of Government land. A revised application has been placed before the DC. Also, there is no residential or commercial property coming within the vicinity of the land to be acquired so no virtual displacement is going to take place,” said General Manager Manish Kumar Singh who is looking after land acquisition in Godda for Adani Power.
The company also claimed that the public hearing that took place ahead of the land acquisition was free and fair and the process would see considerable progress in February.
“We have completed the requisite process before starting land acquisition and the payments are to be made to the raiyats against their land by February. Now, collection of their bank details and their verification is being done,” said a senior official from Ranchi office.
Nonetheless, JVM legislator Pradeep Yadav is sitting on a dharna in Godda alleging that the public hearing conducted for the land acquisition was fake and consent of raiyats was taken fraudulently.
“Adani with the support of the State Government machinery conducted a false public hearing by presenting unreal raiyats over there. We demand for a fresh public hearing and if it is not ordered, then we can
Continued on Page 2
Adani Power cuts down land requirement for Godda plant
go ahead with indefinite dharna against the project. This plant would not be allowed to come here unless our genuine demands are met,” said Yadav.
Acting on this, Godda DC Rajesh Kumar Sharma sent SDO Saurabh Sinha to hold a talk with the agitating legislator which has resulted into deadlock. “I went there and would now place their demands to the DC. Major demand is about re-conducting the public hearing and for not taking multi-crop land from farmers,” said the SDO.
In the meantime, the DC pointed out that following the SIA, an expert committee had been formed and a final decision about exact land acquisition, rate of the land to be acquired and details about the households affected due to the project would be taken after that only.
The company, on the other hand, maintained that the public hearing conducted was genuine. “We have with us the consent of all the raiyats affected by the power plant in writing. They are eager and willing to give their land for the project. Rs 49 lakh for every acre of Dhani-I land is being paid besides, other compensations for livelihood losses and rehabilitation. The agitation is with some vested interest and being done by a handful of people,” said a senior official requesting anonymity.