Kendrapada, Feb 28 :The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed
the Odisha and Chhattisgarh Chief secretaries to submit an Action Taken Reports (ATR) on
the rehabilitation, resettlement of people displaced due to the construction of the Hirakud
Dam within four weeks.
The rights body also asked Special rapporteur B B Mishra to conduct an inquiry and submit
a final report on the present condition and human rights violation of Hirakud Dam oustees.
The NHRC issued the direction after human rights activist R K Tripathy alleged that even
after a lapse of six decades the dam oustees have not got any compensation due to the
failure, negligence and inaction of thr Odisha government.
Mr Tripathy alleged his initial complaint, rejoinder and the Interim-report of the Special
rapporteur have been sent to the State Authorities for compliance, but despite lapse of
substantial period of time no Compliance report has been sent to the Commission till date.
The State Authorities have been playing dirty tricks of consuming time and delaying the
process for ensuring basic human rights of the victims most of whom are third generation.
Seeking permanent solution of the issue of human rights of the victims, Mr Tripathy urged
the NHRC to monitor the case on a monthly basis and solve the problems faced by the
victims for generations in Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sundargarh and Subarnapur
districts of Odisha and Raigarh, Sarguja districts of Chhattisgarh.
Mr Tripathy stated the problems of people residing thirty four villages around the Dam
could not be sorted out within a year.
Several applications submitted by the victims in Tehsils in the concerned districts are
missing due to laxity and negligent record keeping and favouritism.
Irregularities in Land Allotment again added salt to the wounds of the villagers. There is
no livelihood support for the SC and ST as mandated under the Forest Rights Act,
He further said while in Sardar Sarovar Dam Project of Gujarat or in case of Narmada
Bachao Movement many of the land oustees and displaced people have been ensured
better life than they were leading earlier, in case of Hirakud Dam, the displaced people
and their descendants remained a non-entity, nameless for the State.
The State so far has been sending in-complete reports on the issue.
The NHRC sought a report on the Status of payment of ex-gratia and pending claims and regularization of D.C. Patta in favour of the land oustees of Hirakud Dam Project, in each
affected District.
Mr Tripathy requested the NHRC to direct the State to identify the victims and to take steps
to deal with the issue of rehabilitation, resettlement and compensation and other related
problems, to ensure the benefits of the Social Welfare Schemes of both the Central and
State government reaches all these victims.
He also sought direction from the NHRC for appropriate legal action against the irresponsible
officials for inordinate delay in the rehabilitation process
Considering the gravity of the issue, the NHRC asked its Special Rapporteur, to visit the
affected areas, assess the situation by associating the villagers and the administration
highlighting the measures to be taken for ensuring basic human rights of the affected people
and submit a report. (UNI)