The land acquisition process by the Orissa government for the Posco project in the Dhinkia gram panchayat of Jagatsinghpur district did not make any headway on Saturday following resistance by members of a five-party delegation and villagers.
The gram panchayat remained a hostile region for the district administration that had in the past fortnight stepped up the land acquisition process for the steel plant.
With children and women at the forefront, villagers blocked the land acquisition teams for the second consecutive day, though the administration declared their assembly unlawful.
For five hours on Friday, women and children braved the oppressive sun and did not let the teams backed by scores of police personnel to enter the village.
Alternative route
The administration took an alternative route to woo villagers who were allegedly in favour of giving up their traditional rights to government land by receiving compensation.
In fact, the land acquisition teams claimed that three villagers did accept compensation.
But a majority of the villagers alleged that their betel vineyards were razed. As vineyards were being pulled down, members of five political parties, led by Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai, staged a dharna, preventing further demolition.
“The administration's attempt to terrorise people is a violation of human rights. The State government cannot act at the behest of a multinational company to torture its own people,” said Rabi Behera, president of the State unit of the Samajwadi Party.
He said people were convinced that the project would deprive them of their livelihood options, and they did not want to part with their traditional land rights.
Process suspended
The administration announced that the land acquisition process would be suspended for four days ahead of the Raja festival.
Keywords: Posco project, anti-Posco agitators, Orissa, land acquisition
When the laws of the land have been violated at every level, then offering money in exchange for land in an attempt to go ahead with the project amounts to nothing less than bribery. Palli Sabha resolution rejected the project. Forest Rights Act was not implemented / violated. Environmental Assessment was not done according to legal requirements (e.g. assessed from low-flying helicopter, not from the ground). Government committee found the project to be illegal and recommended revoking the clearance. Expert committees found the project to be economically, environmentally and socially disastrous for the people of Odisha.
In light of all this, when people say NO to the project, it is not an issue of offering money. Together with the people, recognizing their knowledge and experience with the local economy, natural resources and social fabric over the generations, one should evaluate any proposed project. If it lacks merit, if it cannot be done according to the law of the land, then it is the project and not the laws that must be scrapped.
It seems to me that Posco could adopt some sort of inclusive policy while dealing with this situation. Many people are emotionally not capable of leaving their homeland or their homes and that's why renter's are protected in India and people who live on land that belong to others are protected by the Mumkar Law. If wealthy people owned this land they would certainly not part with it for a pittance. A few lakh is nothing these days when middle class will easily spend that on a vacation. Since the project cost millions of dollars why would it disturb Posco to convert a few acres into a small township with eco-friendly cutely designed homes? Mud and brick is the best combination for a home in this hot country. The outside could use a thin concrete plaster, the inside lime mortar to keep the place cool and simple coconut beams or metal frame with slating would provide excellent roofing. A small school could be set up for the kids. The house with tiny garden area to put in a few vegetables, a fruit tree or two could occupy an area as small as 4 to 5 cents per family. An agreement to keep the place neat and tidy on their part would be excellent. The adults could be used in the steel business or some other cottage industry set up by Posco, with those employed given a tiny fraction of the share of the profits of the company..(remember the villagers were there first) This would be an added incentive for procuring loyalty to Posco and everything would work out fine. Indian people react magnificently when they are treated with love instead of arrogance. Otherwise the future for Posco will be mired in violence, discontent and someone or the other will be waiting to get even with them and planning and plotting against the company. A respected individual from the village can talk to the villagers about the importance and necessity for steel for the growth of the nation and the future of their children but first their future must be assured with this simple gesture of a small house, school and a little land. There is a dire shortage of labor in India. Better to use these villagers for this purpose through education and training than to throw them out. I hope some sensible solution can be found. Surely we cannot call ourselves a progressive and civilized nation of these people are deprived of their right to their lands and homes a bullying and unfair manner
I could not understand why the Govt. is so insisting on carrying the project which is likely to profit some foreign countries. * First, how was the land allocated to POSCO. Was there a competitive bidding process? If so, who are the competitors and why was this company chosen? If not, whether it is constitutional? *Second, what is the personal and political benefits to Mr. Patnaik? It is obvious that village is not going to be in favour of Mr. Patnaik during the elections, then is he so insistent? * The pittance provided as compensation during land acquisition is one of the reason for protests against land acquisition. Worse, the people who have handed their land to the Govt. had to part a lions share of this compensation as bribe. I don't know about the situation in that village but that is the case generally in many of the places, including Tamilnadu, Pondicherry, etc. The adverse environmental concerns need also to be addressed in case of such projects.
So, if one needs draw a conclusion then it is better to have more information in this regard.
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