Bhubaneswar | Aug 14, 2017:
Due to absence of proactive steps to take people into confidence and sort out the pending issues by the MCL authorities, production in the Talcher coalfields has been disrupted severely.
This was revealed at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary AP Padhi in the presence of Union Coal Secretary Susheel Kumar held at the State Secretariat on Friday.
Kumar pointed out that frequent stoppages of production in the MCL’s coalmines at Talcher have not only hampered coal production but also caused financial loss to the MCL and the State Government.
Later he met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and urged him to intervene in the matter. In response, the Chief Minister directed authorities to sort out the issues pertaining to rehabilitation and resettlement of the land oustees, sources said.
However, a study made by the State Government has revealed that delay in payment of compensation in respect of 50 villages, delay in redressal of rehabilitation to 1,751 land losers and resettlement benefit to 5,446 project displaced families and repeated failure of commitment made by the MCL are the major reasons behind the frequent stoppage of mining activities in the Talcher coalfields.
It has been pointed out that failure in sand stowing, back filing and reclamation of coal extracted area is a cause of concern for the people.
Similarly, failure to control pollution due to inadequate plantation and slow execution of CSR work has worried the villagers.
The MCL has no control over contractors and transport workers and is not taking any action on its employees who are supporting the agitators and it has worsened the situation only, pointed out a senior official.
A General Manager rank officer is needed to be posted in Talcher Coalfields area to handle rehabilitation and resettlement issues and CISF personnel should be deployed for maintaining law and order, he suggested.
On Saturday, Kumar visited the MCL’s Lakhanpur mines area to assess coal production. He inaugurated an MCL Training Institute constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs 18 crore.
Training Institute Principal PK Jha explained was present.
Kumar directed MCL CMD AK Jha and local GM RP Gupta to construct a separate coal corridor to protect general public from communication and dust problems created by plying of thousands of coal loaded trucks every day.
He too directed them to resettle oustees of Darlipali and Chharla Mouzas displaced by Belpahar Open Cast Mines early.
On the occasion, a team of union representatives met him and urged for implementation of Wage Board decisions. A team of the Truck Owners Association also submitted a memorandum demanding restoration of road sale coal transportation. Kumar assured them of early steps.
(Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/)