Prospects of JSPL second phase expansion brightens

Odisha Channel Bureau Angul, Mar 15: The prospects of initiating the second phase work of Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) here brightened with warring anti-JSPL Birankeswar Silapanchal Praja Sangh (BSPS) turning up for talks with the State government authorities today after waging protracted opposition for a long time.As per the decision of Angul Collector Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav on February 27 Angul Sub Collector P.K.Dash convened a meeting of JSPL and all the representatives of affected six villages.The Praja Sangh, which has been boycotting this meeting with the district administration for last four years, attended today.For the second phase of six million tonne annual capacity JSPL’s integrated steel project here, Praja Sangh has been opposing demanding more compensation and employment to each of the affected families.In view of the demands the rehabilitation and peripheral development advisory committee (RPDAC), the highest policy making body for rehabilitation matters as per the state rehabilitation policy in 2009, asked the Sub Collector to form a sub-committee consisting of local MP and MLA and affected people to sort out the matter.However, no meeting took place since then to finalise the members of the sub-committee for last four years due to non-cooperation of Praja Sangh.“Today not only the leaders of Praja Sangh who were vehemently opposing the expansion but also other members of the affected six villages turned up to the meeting and shared their views.The leaders were asked to nominate their representatives to the proposed sub-committee.At the same time the administration, the company and local representatives in the affected villages will conduct a socio-economic survey jointly soon to clear the deadlock over the compensation and employments, said Sub Collector Prasanna Dash.He said the meeting was cordial and helpful to carry forward the big-ticket project in the district and as well as the State.