The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
TALCHER, JULY 27, 2021
For the first time in the history of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) in Odisha, a village Bhalugadia at Talcher in Angul district of Odisha has handed over its resources without any obstruction and in one go to facilitate coal mining operations.
Bhalugadia village, spread over around 17 hectares of coal bearing land in Talcher coalfields, had 288 families living there.
The 17 hectares of land made available by Bhalugadia villagers would enable MCL to excavate 21 million tonnes of dry fuel.
The village was acquired under CBA (Coal Bearing Act) by MCL, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, mandated for coal mining in Odisha.
The local Hingula Area management of MCL, with an active support and guidance of Odisha state administration, was able to create an environment of mutual trust among peripheral villagers that they voluntarily handed over their homestead land to the company.
Recently, the General Manager of local command Hingula Area organised a thanksgiving ceremony for the residents of Bhalugadia village in his office for setting an example of “obstruction free” eviction from homestead land for coal mining purpose.
It was nevertheless a unique agreement based on mutual trust among the stakeholders – local population and their leadership, district administration and the mining company – to contribute in unison for development of the nation.
“It is indeed an unparalleled and satisfying moment to experience the level of mutual trust developed among all the stakeholders,” said MCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director, P K Sinha, while expressing his gratitude towards the villagers for showing their confidence and cooperation.
Sinha has appreciated efforts of the state administration in developing “mutual trust among all stakeholders”, including Bhalugadia villagers and facilitating smooth transition of coal bearing land to the company in the interest of the nation.
The CMD also congratulated Angul district administration and local management of MCL’s Hingula Area for developing such a synergy to generate mutual trust among all the stakeholders.
As per R&R policy of the Odisha government, MCL offers a permanent job in company to each eligible member of landowners’ families, which means whosoever is above the age of 18 years as on date of notification, besides attractive monetary compensation to beneficiaries against the land acquired and 10 decimal land or equivalent cost for rehabilitation and resettlement.
