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Stir hits work on alumina project

BERHAMPUR: Work on the Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL) project in Kashipur block of Rayagada district has been stalled since last 107 days due to agitation by displaced families. Their demand for enhanced compensation has become a stumbling block for progress of the delayed project.

The project still faces stiff opposition from a section of tribals and dalits who are against displacement and bauxite mining in the area. Now the problems of the company have multiplied as the already displaced families have started to demand enhanced compensation, jobs and other benefits.

The whole issue has taken a political turn after the recent win of the Congress from the Laxmipur Assembly constituency. The Congress MLA of Laxmipur, Puna Majhi, took part in the rally by displaced families at Rayagada on Tuesday. They were displaced much before new rehabilitation policy of the government came into force. Chairman of the Aditya Birla group, Kumar Mangalam Birla, during his recent visit to Orissa also did not commit to increase the compensation amount for the displaced as per the new rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) policy of the State government. So, in the election year it has become a major issue in the area.

Now the displaced families are demanding a compensation of Rs. 10 lakh for each acre of agricultural land acquired by the company. As per Chitrasen Nayak, the secretary of the committee of displaced and affected families, the rate of barren land should be Rs. 5 lakh per acre, homestead land Rs. 25 lakh per acre and every displaced person should get guarantee of permanent job.

The anti-alumina project activists feel the agitation of displaced families is an eye opener for villagers of Kashipur area who had come out in support of the Alumina project in the past. “These were the people who had divided the unity in villages of Kashipur,” said Praful Samantra, an environmentalist.

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