Displacement by Kanpur, Baitarani projects

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought the personal presence of the Odisha Chief Secretary on May 14 before the commission, due to the State Government’s negligent attitude in dealing with the large-scale displacement due to projects in Kanpur and Baitarani rivers.

The NHRC also deputed its Special Rapporteur Damodar Sarangi to investigate the case within eight weeks.

Taking serious note of earlier petitions and subsequent submissions filed by rights activist and Supreme Court lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy, the NHRC passed the order.

Tripathy in his petition to NHRC alleged that thousands of displaced people and other affected parties have been suffering and the reply submitted by the authorities does not give true and correct picture of the plight of the affected people. The report submitted by the State Government is just an eye wash.

The report is silent on the RPDAC meeting interval, the number of people yet to be settled, lack of basic infrastructure and deprivation of bare necessities of life are the reality in the area wherein the poverty stricken tribal and Dalit villagers will be homeless and forced to die without food, shelter and livelihood, he stated.

No comprehensive report has been prepared with regard to the current land acquisition as per applicable law, rehabilitation and resettlement of the villagers as per the policy, the status of bare necessities of life.  

Tripathy further alleged that the project is adversely affecting flora and fauna of the region creating ecological imbalance and the district administration has not taken steps to ensure proper resettlement and rehabilitation of the displaced, affected people under the law of the land either before or during implementation of the project.

The villagers were deprived of their lands and homes even without due compensation and rehabilitation. He has, therefore, urged the Commission for its intervention in the matter.