Orissa to focus on rehab of 16 mega projects

For a speedy implementation of the rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) policy, the Orissa government has identified 16 large projects for the first phase. Of these, 13 industrial units have been identified in the Kalinganagar, Paradip, Jharsuguda and Angul areas and three irrigation projects.

These include R&R implementation packages for Posco in Paradip, Vedanta Alumina in Jharsuguda, Bhushan Steel and Power in Sambalpur and Jindal Steel in Angul. The three irrigation projects include Suktel irrigation at Bolangir, Subarnarekha at Mayurbhanj and Kanpur irrigation at Keonjhar.

Talks, however, are in the final stages for the Kalinganagar rehabilitation package. Problems are also plaguing the area because of manpower shortage as the Tatas propose to set up six million tonne steel plant.

The government has decided rehabilitation package for a total of seven units, including four industrial and three irrigation projects. The package will be implemented at the earliest for these projects. The package for remaining projects will be finalised next week at a meeting convened by Ajit K Tripathy, the state chief secretary.

According to Bichitrananda Das, director (R&R), "Posco, Vedanta and Jindals are being given prime importance for facilitating them to set up their plants. Kalinganagar still remains a question."

The government move comes in the wake of stiff resistance put up by local people and other social, political organisations to stop agricultural land being used for industrial purposes. Despite some teething trouble, the government has decided to concentrate on R&R in the Kalinganagar area, where 14 people died in clashes between police and locals.

To carry out the move, till date, nine field officers have also been deployed in these areas. The officials have been instructed to gather data, mostly concentrating on the opposition raised by the locals against industrial units.

The remaining officers are being trained for reaching out to the remaining industries.

It is on the future report of the field officers that the final assessment will be made regarding the implementation of the R&R policy, adopted by the government in April 2006. Land related problems have cropped up across Orissa where industrial projects by Tatas, Posco, Arcellor-Mittal, Jindals and Vedanta Alumina are trying to get land for their projects.

Speaking to Business Standard, state Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal said, "In the first phase, we have identified 16 industries which would be readied for the R&R package. It is a continuous process of protest and survival. As long as there is land acquisition, there will be opposition. We are trying to find a meaningful solution in the face of such protests."

Samal pointed out industrial units scouting for land at Jharsuguda and Rourkela have been identified for working out a suitable R&R package.

The government is being assisted by S M Jaamdar, principal Secretary, revenue department, Karnataka. Jaamdar makes a monthly visit to the state to take stock of the situation.

Says Jaamdar, "The administrative and official set up to meet the R&R objectives in Orissa have already been worked out. Now, how fast the government can implement the policy is to be seen."

Jaamdar is credited with being one of the architects for implementing the rehabilitation package for over four lakh people over a period of seven years (1995-2002), spreading over 1.5 million acres.

The Orissa government, meanwhile, has set up a rehabilitation directorate, with 16 persons. The officials have also been given adequate training in dealing with land related industrial problems and data collection.