VAL-hit people on stir, seek better compensation

The Pioneer, May 20, 2011
PNS, Bhawanipatna

The affected people of Lanjigarh-based Vedanta Aluminum Limited (VAL) have been sitting on a dharna since March 26 with their 17-point charters of demands as the promises by the State Government to them are yet to be fulfilled. Among others, their main demand is to increase the compensation from `10 lakh to `20 lakh and job for each family in the VAL.

The agitation began on March 26 by the displaced people even as the District Administration had clamped IPC 144 around 200 metres distance from the VAL premises to avert any untoward incidents. Despite the scorching heat in April and May, the agitation has reached 52 days and is still continuing. The local MLA and MP have finished their jobs after assuring them to fulfill their demands.

Kalahandi MP Bhakta Das said the displaced people should get their dues. I have drawn the attention of the RDC but till now neither the RDC came to the spot nor the District Administration did anything to pacify the people.

However, Sub-Collector Jagannath Mohanty said that the demands by the displaced people were not legitimate. “In the RPADC meeting, everything was finalised but now it is not possible for the District Administration to fulfill their unlawful demands. The displaced people are demanding Rs 20 lakh compensation as it is given to the displaced people of Posco project which is unviable,” he explained. Describing the agitation as unlawful, the VAL chief Mukesh Kumar said that all steps had been taken to rehabilitate the people as per law.