Express News Service
BERHAMPUR: The visit of Chief Secretary Bijay Patnaik to Tata Industrial Park in Chamakhandi area on Saturday rekindled hope among the residents eagerly waiting for establishment of the steel plant here.
During mid-90s, the then Prime Minister had laid the foundation stone for the mega-steel plant.The company acquired over 3,000 acres including cultivable and homestead lands from 10 villages in Chatrapur and Rangeilunda blocks.However nothing concrete has come off it although around one-and-a-half decades have passed.
Though Tata Steel rehabilitated the displaced families and also paid compensation for the land, the steel plant was shelved creating resentment among the people.When resentment took the shape of an agitation, Tata Steel decided to establish an Industrial Park on the acquired land and the foundation stone was laid by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik last August.However, not satisfied with the pace of development, the affected families appealed to the National Human Rights Commission.
While rapporteurs from the NHRC visited the area and interacted with the villagers last month, the Chief Secretary accompanied by Ganjam Collector V Kartikeya Pandian too came calling and held discussions with the officials of Tata Steel.Though the details of the talks are not known, Patnaik reportedly advised the officials to go ahead with the steel plant.During mid-90s, the then Prime Minister had laid the foundation stone for the mega-steel plant.The company acquired over 3,000 acres including cultivable and homestead lands from 10 villages in Chatrapur and Rangeilunda blocks.However nothing concrete has come off it although around one-and-a-half decades have passed.
Though Tata Steel rehabilitated the displaced families and also paid compensation for the land, the steel plant was shelved creating resentment among the people.When resentment took the shape of an agitation, Tata Steel decided to establish an Industrial Park on the acquired land and the foundation stone was laid by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik last August.However, not satisfied with the pace of development, the affected families appealed to the National Human Rights Commission.
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