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MLAs hit out at MCL on rehabilitation

Staff Reporter

High-level panel to discuss the issue threadbare

BHUBANESWAR: Legislators cutting across party line have lashed out at central sector Mahanadi Coalfield Limited (MCL) for allegedly mishandling

rehabilitation process which has lead to law and order situation near its coal extraction areas.

Participating in an adjournment discussion in the Assembly on Friday, MLAs alleged that the MCL authorities did not implement decisions taken by high-powered committees on rehabilitation and resettlement.

`No jobs yet'

Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal while replying to the discussion said: "MCL is not even paying any heed to us. In the recent past, the Rehabilitation Advisory Council had sat for 14 times but recommendations were not implemented by the company." Altogether 1,756 persons, who had lost their land for MCL's coalmines, were yet to get jobs in the company, he said.

The Minister assured that within next 15 days, a high-level committee, comprising people's representatives and officials, would discuss the matters threadbare and if the MCL did not comply decisions of that meeting, then the State government would think on alternative means.

On June 5, the MCL sent SOS stating imminent closure of mines of Talcher Coalfields loomed large due to law and order situation.

The company had said it was not even extracting coal to full strength, which could lead to non-supply of coals to most power plants such as NALCO, Talcher Thermal Power Station, National Thermal Power Corporation at Kaniha and power plants of southern India.

Mr. Samal said there was no connection between low extractions of coal with people's protest. He advised the MCL to bring in more transparency and accountability in its administration so that contentious issues could be ironed out. BJP MLA from Talcher, Mahesh Sahoo, threatened that if the MCL did not keep its promises, then it would be held responsible for any problem.

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