Jayapur (Koraput ): Koraput MP and senior Congress leader Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka on Monday urged Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to review the compensation awarded to farmers whose land is being acquired for the Jeypore-Nabarangpur and Jeypore-Malkangiri railway projects, alleging that the existing valuation does not adequately reflect the market value and livelihood potential of the affected agricultural land.
In a letter to Vaishnaw, Ulaka said hundreds of families in the Koraput parliamentary constituency were facing serious concerns over the compensation being offered for their land. He said fertile, irrigated and double-crop agricultural land, which remains the primary source of livelihood for many families, had reportedly been valued at around Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh per acre.
The MP said such valuation was inadequate considering the productivity of the land and the income generated by farming families. He urged the Railway Ministry to order a fresh and transparent assessment of the acquired land, taking into account prevailing market rates, agricultural productivity, irrigation facilities and the loss of future livelihood.
Ulaka also sought a revision of the compensation package based on a proper market-based assessment, while referring to the demand of affected farmers for compensation of up to Rs 1 crore per acre for fertile, irrigated land.
The Congress MP further alleged that there were concerns over the land valuation process and inadequate consultation with villagers before the compensation package was finalised.
“Development cannot come at the cost of impoverishing local communities,” Ulaka said in his communication, stressing that the railway projects were important for improving connectivity and promoting socio-economic development in the tribal districts of southern Odisha.
He urged the Centre to constitute a district-level grievance redressal and arbitration mechanism, with representation from affected villages, to examine disputed compensation cases and ensure their time-bound resolution.
Ulaka also called for the full implementation of rehabilitation and resettlement provisions, including livelihood assistance and other statutory entitlements for displaced and affected families.
The MP sought consideration of suitable employment in the Railways or project-related livelihood opportunities for at least one eligible member of every severely affected family, subject to applicable government policies.
He also requested the Railway authorities and district administration to conduct village-wise consultations before proceeding further with the possession of the acquired land.
Seeking an early resolution, Ulaka urged the Railway Minister to depute a senior-level team from the Ministry of Railways to Koraput to hold discussions with affected families and work towards a mutually acceptable settlement.
He further appealed that coercive action against land losers be avoided pending reconsideration of their grievances.
“I shall be grateful for your early intervention in the interest of justice, livelihood security and the timely completion of these important railway projects,” read the communication.
