The construction work of the Posco steel project, which was halted for last ten days due to stiff resistance by the villagers of Nuagaon and Gadkujang in support of their six-point charter of demands, resumed today amid difference among the members of United Action Committee, a pro-Posco outfit, over the distribution of job cards to each affected family in three affected panchayats.
Sources said, the construction company BMC, which has been given the contract for some preliminary project work at the site, has sought to win over the support of local unemployed youths by distributing job cards to them.
Assisted by local elected representatives, some UAC members, the company distributed 600 jobs cards to local youths. However, this has been resented by another section of UAC activists and villagers who have not received the job cards.
Besides, many youths have not accepted the job card of the construction company demanding permanent jobs in Posco project.
Sources said, the preliminary construction work of the Posco project is going on peacefully at Polang village under Gadakujang panchayat after a halt of ten days. The contractors have undertaken jobs like demarcation of boundary, construction of rehabilitation colony, sand filling and trenching work in this village with cooperation of villagers.
The district officials also carried on with felling of trees, measurement of earth structure of dead betel vines and disbursement of compensation without any hindrance.
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Special Land Acquisition Officer, Nrusingh Swain informed that nearly 1700 casurina and fruit bearing trees were cut down in Noliashai and Rs 11 lakh was disbursed as compensation.
It may be recalled that the Posco project work had come to a halt after the villagers and UAC activists staged agitation to press for fulfillment of their demands including job to each family, contract work and employment to local labourers in construction work, increase in the compensation for agricultural and homestead land and other rehabilitation facilities.
Sarpanch of Gadkujang, Nakula Sahu said, “To give job opportunity to local youths in the construction work, UAC and the district official intend to provide job cards to each affected family of Dhinkia, Nuagaon and Gadkujang panchayts. Out of 3000 affected families, 600 job cards have already been disbursed among the local youths. As a result, they will earn remuneration of Rs 6000 per month”.
However, secretary of UAC, Nirvya Samantray said, “some elected representatives and UAC members are distributing job cards without the decision of UAC. After recent discussion with the administration, UAC only allowed the construction work but did not take any decision on distributing job cards”.
Kujang tehsildar Basudev Pradhan said, the Posco project work is continuing peacefully in Polang and Noliashai with cooperation of the villagers. He clarified that the administration has no role in distribution of job cards.