Compensate Salandi-Nalia river project affected people – NHRC to Orissa
18.01.2011 | 20:52
Bhubaneswar
Samir Hota

A two day camp of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) started today in Bhubaneswar. NHRC Chairperson, Justice KG Balakrishnan along with members Justice BC Patel, Satyabrata Pal and PC Sharma initiated the process of hearing 105 pending cases relating to the state.

The commission today took up a case alleging violation of Land Acquisition Act and relief and rehabilitation policy pertaining to the Rs. 99.14 crore Salandi-Nalia river sanskar project in the state. A case was filed before the commission alleging that state had failed to observe provisions of the Land Acquisition Act.

Lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy who preferred the petition on behalf of about 10,000 affected by the project in Bhadrak district of the state argued for compensation of the victims as well as rehabilitation of the project affected persons.

The commission in view of the state’s failure to present its case deployed its special rapporteur who termed implementation of the project as blatantly illegal. It was also later found that compensation was not paid, rehabilitation process was not undertaken, socio-economic survey was yet to be started and that the design of the project was changed without any prior approval.

Giving its findings today the full commission directed the state government to take immediate action and rehabilitate the displaced people and provide them the actual amount of compensation immediately. The commission also observed that Land Acquisition Act may be suitable amended if necessary.

Speaking to Law et al. News Tripathy said that it is satisfactory that the commission in its full bench expressed anguish over functioning of government officials. Saying that today’s order comes as a pain killer for the victims he hoped that the larger issues will be soon resolved after today’s scathing remarks by the commission. However, he also expressed his apprehensions over implementation and execution of the commission’s order mentioning that the commission itself was alarmed by the delay in response by the administration.

NHRC to hear right violations by river projects in Orissa
Monday, January 17, 2011

Bhadrak: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will hear the Salandi-Nalia, Reba-Kapali, Kansbans and other river Sanskar projects on which there are allegation of human rights violations.

The Commission has decided to hear the cases 439/18/18/09-10 along with 410 other petitions during its Odisha camp on January 18 and 19.

All these petitions have been filed before it pertaining to human rights violations in various river Sanskar projects. The issue was first brought to the notice of the Commission in May, 2008 by noted human rights activist and Supreme Court lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy.

NHRC had investigated twice Salandi Nalia River Sanskar Project and asked the state government to pay compensation and rehabilitate the victims.

Armed with RTI replies and success in protecting human rights of the victims in Salandi Nalia Sanskar project Tripathy again moved the NHRC.