Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a comprehensive report from the Odisha Government on rehabilitation and resettlement of over 26,000 families displaced during the construction of Hirakud Dam in the State.
Conducting a hearing on a complaint filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy, the NHRC directed Chief Secretary of Odisha to submit the report before it latest by December 7.
Tripathy in his complaint had submitted before the Commission about the plight of the displaced persons who are yet to be rehabilitated and get compensation amount.
Nearly 123,000 acres of land in 360 villages were submerged due to the construction of the Hirakud Dam.
While stating that over one lakh people were displaced from the aforementioned area, Tripathy has alleged that even after a lapse of nearly 70 years the third generation of the affected persons are saved from getting justice due to corrupt and lackadaisical attitude of officials.
Following direction from the NHRC, Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Northern) in its report before the Commission had submitted that land acquisition for Hirakud Dam project was undertaken in 1952-53. Steps for settling the complaints of displaced families from Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh and Subarnapur region were undertaken at different points of time but some of the affected people are yet to get compensation amount in full neither have they been rehabilitated.
The NHRC had deputed its special rapporteur to investigate the issue of large-scale displacement and subsequent failure of the State Government in rehabilitation and resettlement of more than 26,000 families due to the construction of the Hirakud Dam.
The special rapporteur in its enquiry report had cited that several persons have not received the compensation amount nor have they been rehabilitated.