PARADIP: Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to Paradip on February 7, hundreds of land oustees began an indefinite dharna in front of the Paradip refinery on Monday demanding permanent jobs. Children of the oustees and elderly persons are also taking part in the dharna, being held under the aegis of Bhumihara Krushak Ekta Manch.
They alleged that although the IOCL had acquired 3,330 acres of private land from them with an assurance of providing compensation and employment, no such measure has been taken so far.
Addressing the agitators, Congress leader-cum-Zilla Parishad member Sarada Jena flayed IOCL for its indifference towards the land losers and non-implementation of the Rehabilitation & Resettlement Policy-2006. The agitators said while it was decided at the last RPDAC meeting in September,2010, that all oustees would get jobs in the refinery project, no such step has been taken.