Authorities asked to expedite R & R

Business Standard, Nov 27, 2009
The revenue divisional commissioner (RDC), southern division, Orissa government, Chandra Sekhar Kumar has asked the authorities of various ongoing projects in south Orissa to expedite the implementation of the rehabilitation and resettlement policy 2006.
Sharing the concern over inordinate delay in implementation of several irrigation, industry and mining projects in south Orissa, which are marred by frequent agitation by the affected persons, he said, effective implementation of the R & R policy will address the grievances of the people and pave the way for implementation of these projects.
“The rehabilitation and resettlement policy 2006 is one of the best in the country and try to convince the affected persons and expedite the rehabilitate work” he said. He was addressing a meeting on rehabilitation and resettlement here.
Besides the collectors and additional district magistrates of south Orissa districts, the land acquisition officers of different projects and the representatives of affected villagers and the director, (R&R), Gagan Bihari Swain attended the meeting.
Due to agitation by the affected persons several developmental projects like the Chheligada irrigation project in Gajapati district, Ghatakeswara multi-purpose irrigation project in Ganjam district have not progressed.
Similarly the implementation of some large projects like Utkal Alumina International Limited at Kasipur in Rayagada district, Vedanta Alumina Limited at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district, Aditya Alumina Limited in Rayagada district, Maliparbat mining project in Koraput district  have been delayed.
RDC conducted through review on the progress of land acquisition and payment made to the affected people and rehabilitation of the displaced persons in different projects.