Bhubaneswar : For the first time in the history of Mahanadi Coalfield Limited(MCL) in Odisha, a village has been handed over to the company without any obstruction by the villagers and in one go to facilitate coal mining operations.
MCL CMD P K Sinha has appreciated efforts of the state administration in developing “mutual trust among all stakeholders”, including Bhalugadia villagers at Talcher in Angul district of Odisha and facilitating smooth transition of coal bearing land to the company in the interest of the nation.
“It is indeed an unparalleled and satisfying moment to experience the level of mutual trust developed among all the stakeholders,” Mr Sinha said while expressing his gratitude towards villagers of Bhalugadia for showing their confidence and cooperation.
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.
Bhalugadia, a compact village spread over around 17 hectare coal bearing land in Talcher coalfields, had 288 families.The village was acquired under Coal Bearing Act(CBA) by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (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 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.
The 17 hectare of land made available by Bhalugadia villagers would enable MCL to excavate 21 million tonnes of dry fuel.
As per R&R policy of Odisha government, MCL offers a permanent job in company to each eligible member of landowners’ families besides attractive monetary compensation to beneficiaries against the land acquired and 10 decimal land or equivalent cost for rehabilitation and resettlement.
MCL, the second largest coal producing company in the country, is also the top contributor to Odisha state under CSR.
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