Jharsuguda : The Stalemate over breach of Vedanta’s Ash pond -2 issue was resolved on Thursday evening after the joint meeting held between Company Officials, Dist. Administration and Public representatives at Jharsuguda Collectorate.
In this joint meeting Bargarh MP Prabhas Kumar Singh, Jharsuguda MLA Naba Kishore Das, Jharsuguda Dist. Collector Bibhuti Bhusan Patnaik, Jharsuguda S.P. R. Prakash, Vedanta officials and Katikela Villagers were present. On Thursday morning, Bargarh MP Prabhas Kumar Singh had visited the spot and had assessed the situation of damages taken place after the breach of Ash pond 2 of Vedanta Aluminum on 28th August.
After which the collector had called a joint meeting to discuss the issue.
In this meeting, it was jointly agreed upon five points. Firstly, the entire village of Katikela will be displaced as per the govt. rules & guidelines. Secondly, Those villagers who are willing to leave immediately, they can hand over the land or house, for which a proper compensation shall be determined involving a consultant of Vedanta Ltd. and District Administration. Third, Compensation for the crop damage shall be surveyed and paid immediately in cooperation with Tehsildar. Fourth, Immediate de-watering of water from Ash pond 3 and prevention of ash water flowing into Bheden River by Vedanta Officials and Fifth, all the tasks should be completed within a reasonable time.
“We are thankful to villagers and Dist. Administration and public representatives for co-operating in reaching out an amicable solution to the entire issue. We have assured our fullest co-operation to Dist. Administration and to the villagers to address all the issues unanimously. It has been resolved that restoration and remediation work to start immediately as agreed with the villagers and Dist. Administration. ” said Abhijit Pati, CEO, Vedanta Ltd, Jharsuguda
“Villagers main demand was to get their village displaced and after discussion, it was decided that village will be displaced, but till the displacement, if any villagers want to give their land to the company then can give their land. The second demand was to De-water the water of Ash pond – 3 and to stop the polluted water flowing into Bheden River. In this regard even State Pollution Control board had also issued a show caused notice, Vedanta officials have also replied to that notice and even the Vedanta Officials will be going to met the Pollution Control Board and the final decision will be given by the Board.” said Jharsuguda District Collector Bibhuti Bhusan Pattnaik
