The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recommended to the Odisha Chief Secretary and the District Collector, Sundargarh to ensure proper rehabilitation of the families who were rendered landless after Rourkela Steel Plant, Mandira Dam and Rukuda Dam.

The NHRC passed the order after it noted the failure on part of the State Government to carry out proper rehabilitation and resettlement in the projects based on the petition and rejoinder filed by human rights lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy.

At the time of acquisition of land, some of the land owners were paid compensation while others did not receive the same. The legal heirs of such land owners are claiming compensation at present market rate and the right to alienate their land for betterment. The families displaced due to acquisition have been granted lease pattas in lieu of the land acquired but some of the beneficiaries have not yet been handed over the possession. The Resettlement colonies have been encroached by people other than that of the displaced families. The decision of the High Power Committee of State on the issue concerned has not been fully implemented, the petition contended.

Pursuant to the NHRC intervention, the DM, Sundergarh submitted a report stating the steps taken in the matter qua which comments of the petitioner were called.

As per the District Administration report, displaced people of Rourkela Steel Plant Project have been paid compensation for land acquired. It is further stated that a subsidy has been provided to reclaim their allotted land in the reclamation camps. They have provided agricultural land in lieu of acquired agricultural land except Goda land up to a maximum limit of 33 acres in 15 different reclamation camps. They have been provided with homestead land at five different resettlement colonies and also employment was provided in Rourkela Steel Plant in some cases.

An amount of Rs 1, 30,53,776.45 has already been paid to the displaced families in Rourkela Steel Plant. In the total list of 2,901 displaced people, 2,644 have received their compensation and 257 people have denied receiving their compensation amount for which an amount of Rs 1,94,440.55 has been kept in the Civil Deposit due to non-disbursement. Other steps taken, including compensation paid have also been elaborated in the report of the District Magistrate.

Challenging the prolonged injustice caused by the State, Tripathy filed a detailed rejoinder. After careful scrutiny, the NHRC directed the Chief Secretary to act on the points raised by the petitioner and disposed of the case.

The NHRC recommended to the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha and the District Magistrate, Sundargarh to ensure proper implementation of the government policy and schemes qua rehabilitation and settlement of displaced persons in such projects and to evolve grievance redressal mechanism qua such projects, and appropriate guidelines be issued for redressal of grievances in a time bound manner.