ANGUL: The expansion work of Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL), which has been hit by land hurdle, is likely to start soon if all things go well. At a meeting attended by Collector Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav on Monday, it was decided that company officials and representatives of land oustees will mutually resolve the issue of ex gratia for the land acquired for the expansion purpose.
Local MP Nagendranath Pradhan, Chhendipada MLA Sushant Kumar Behera, Angul SP Rajesh Pandit and Land Acquisition officers attended the meeting along with representatives of JSPL and project affected families.
The meeting was conducted as per decision of Sixth Rehabilitation and Periphery Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC) that was held last month. It was decided that the company should invite representatives of Birankeswar Shilpanchal Khyatigrasta Prajasangha and Maa Kaluni Prajasangha and negotiate with them to resolve issues relating to the demand for additional land price.
Though IDCO has already acquired land after paying compensation to the land losers and later legally handed it over to the company, the villagers have been obstructing the project for nearly five years for higher compensation. Since compensation including ex gratia has been paid in full, it will be beyond scope of law to pay additional compensation, the company had cited.
However, since the demand for payment of additional ex gratia will be decided mutually, it will be second such compensation to be offered by the company. JSPL has built a two-MTPA steel plant and 810-MW captive power plant as part of its six-MTPA integrated steel project at an investment of Rs 24,000 crore.
The company now critically depends on physical possession of 1800 acres of acquired land to start its expansion work and construction of ash dyke.
“The locals and company officials should support each other even through informal discussions to find an amicable solution,” said the MP.