NCST chief assesses status of tribal rehabilitation by RSP

Rourkela: Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes Nand Kumar Sai made ground zero assessment on the progress of rehabilitation and resettlement of tribals displaced by the Rourkela Steel Plant.

Sai held meetings with various tribal organisations and government officials and was briefed on the status of land evicted for the purpose of expansion, land returned by the steel plant to the tribals availability of basic amenities, welfare activities in the colony set up for the displaced tribals.

Speaking to mediapersons, Sai said, “I hope that the state government, RSP authorities and the central team involved will take proactive steps to look into the issue and resolve any drawbacks,”

Earlier, last month the commission had called on the Chief Secretary, Sundergarh District administration, SAIL Chairman and the steel plant authorities to submit a report within a month.

Notably, the Supreme Court in a landmark verdict back in 1993 directed RSP authorities to rehabilitate as many as 1,098 families who were displaced and make sure they are given necessary employment.

But in 2016, it came to the notice of the NCST that the RSP had been alleged of extensive irregularities in providing employment to the displaced tribals after some displaced complainants lodged pleas at the commission. Similarly, the plant authorities also failed to verify the land records of about 2,211 individuals who had claimed the jobs leading the ST panel to ask the plant to submit reports.