A vital gathering of the Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC) concerning the NLC coal mining and thermal power project took place for the districts of Sambalpur and Jharsuguda.
Led by Sangram Keshari Mohapatra (IAS), the Revenue Divisional Commissioner for the Northern Division, the meeting concentrated on the fundamental rights and socio-economic issues faced by the local communities impacted by the project.
Dharmendra Pradhan, the Member of Parliament for Sambalpur, participated in the discussions, highlighting the need to protect the welfare of those displaced. He referenced the region’s history, noting that many families had previously been relocated during the Hirakud Dam’s construction and were now facing new challenges due to the current project. Pradhan emphasized that since the area is predominantly inhabited by Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and economically disadvantaged individuals, safeguarding their interests should be of utmost importance to the administration.
The meeting gathered several influential figures, including Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, Rengali MLA Sudarshan Haripal, the Northern Range IGP, Jharsuguda Collector Kunal Motiram Chavan, and Sambalpur Collector Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar. Representatives from NLC, including the CMD, Director of Power, ED of Mines, and ED of the Thermal Power Project were also present, along with displaced villagers and members of local Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs), who actively expressed their concerns.
The agenda was extensive, addressing topics such as land acquisition, fair and improved compensation, comprehensive rehabilitation efforts, local and self-employment opportunities, skill development, and environmental safeguards. Significant attention was given to correcting discrepancies found in structural home valuations, addressing compensation calculation errors, and resolving outstanding payments and interest rate issues. The committee also evaluated specific unusual cases and the implementation of the fifth phase of rehabilitation and peripheral development.
To facilitate prompt responses to the everyday concerns of affected individuals, the committee decided to establish a dedicated Sub-Committee. This will allow locals to present their issues directly, ensuring that grievances are documented and discussed in future RPDAC meetings. Additionally, discussions included the operational challenges faced by NLC and strategies to mitigate anti-social activities in the project areas.
Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy reassured attendees about job security, stating, “We are giving special attention to ensure maximum employment for local youth in this project. Our main objective is to meet every legitimate demand of the affected population 100 percent. We have thoroughly reviewed all local grievances, and with the collaboration of the administration and company authorities, permanent solutions will be implemented very soon.”
As the session concluded, Pradhan expressed hope that NLC officials would swiftly and accurately follow through on the directives set forth by the RDC-led RPDAC committee, reiterating that the primary aim of the state administration is to resolve public grievances and protect their rightful claims.
