TALCHER: The Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), which has assured Coal Ministry of producing 135 tonnes of coal in the current fiscal, is in a spot over resettling the 127 displaced families of Hensmul village.
To achieve the target, the Hensmul village land is essential for expanding its two mega coal projects - Bhubaneswari and Ananta - having the annual production capacity of 40 million tonnes.
The company has so far failed to provide 25 acres of land to resettle 122 families of the village at a site which should be mutually agreed upon. These families apart, residents of 15 other villages in Talcher are waiting to be resettled. MCL has asked the State Government for land for resettling these villagers, but the latter expressed its inability to provide the same.
Under the circumstances, MCL introduced cash compensation to the oustees in lieu of land. While some villagers of Hensmul accepted the cash compensation, the 127 families on strike rejected it and asked for plots as per the State Government’s Rehabilitation Policy, 2006. The villagers said both MCL and the State Government are adopting adhocism without laying down a comprehensive plan for resettlement.