Bhubaneswar: A high-level review meeting chaired by Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Tuesday stressed strict enforcement of rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) measures for people displaced by land acquisition in coal-bearing districts, while also directing tighter regulation of fly ash transportation to curb pollution.
The meeting, held at Lok Seva Bhavan, reviewed land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement issues linked to thermal power and mining projects in Angul, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh and Sambalpur districts.
Expressing concern over pollution caused by fly ash transportation, the minister directed that ash-laden trucks operate only during restricted hours and preferably at night, and that all vehicles be covered or replaced with containers in a phased manner. Field officials of the State Pollution Control Board were asked to intensify monitoring and ensure compliance with environmental norms.
Pujari also called for scientific disposal methods, including underground systems, to reduce dependence on road transport of fly ash. He warned of strict legal action against illegal dumping or environmentally unsafe practices.
On land acquisition, the minister instructed Mahanadi Coalfields Limited to ensure issuance of land pattas and proper rehabilitation of displaced families within local areas. He emphasised that government land should be prioritised for industrial projects, with private land acquisition used only as a last resort.
Companies were directed to ensure fair compensation, local employment opportunities and welfare measures for affected communities. “Development cannot come at the cost of people’s safety and dignity,” the minister said, asserting that the government stands with displaced and vulnerable populations.
The meeting also decided to revisit land acquisition norms, including exclusion of non-coal-bearing areas from the CB Clause through the Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC), and to prioritise acquisition of land already rendered uninhabitable due to mining or industrial activity.
Industrial and mining firms were instructed to develop planned resettlement colonies with adequate infrastructure. The state government is also set to roll out a revised R&R policy aimed at addressing pending issues and improving support for displaced persons.
Senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Arabinda Padhee, senior Pollution Control Board functionaries, and representatives of major public sector firms such as NTPC Limited and Odisha Power Generation Corporation Limited, attended the meeting. District collectors and industry officials joined both physically and via virtual mode.
