Jharsuguda: Demanding disbursal of adequate compensation for farmers in Katikela whose farmlands got damaged after a breach in the ash pond of Vedanta two days ago, locals today cautioned the company not to carry out any repair work without providing the ex-gratia.
In a meeting presided by Jharsuguda collector Bibhuti Bhusan Patnaik and attended by environment department officials and Vedanta representatives, locals expressed their unhappiness over the damage caused to farmlands and asked for early compensation for displacement as well.
Anant Ram Sahu, a resident of Katikela said, “Vedanta should convene a meeting of Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC) within seven days and provide a written assurance that it would consider our demands.”
On the other hand, Vedanta’s energy department chief JK Mohanty said, “As decided in the meeting, the company would take steps to release water clogged following a breach in the ash pond. However, fulfilling the demands of the displaced does not fall under our purview. The final call will be taken after the RPDAC meeting.”
The Jharsuguda collector stated that recommendations for compensation will be sent to the State government for consideration.