Posco to relocate betel vine farmers, offers alternatives
BS Reporter / Bhubaneswar November 21, 2006
In a bid to overcome the opposition of local people to its mega steel project near Paradip, Posco India on Monday announced a special scheme. The scheme involves the provision of alternative land to betel vine cultivators, who are set to lose their land to the steel major.
Betel vine cultivation is the main profession of the people in and around the 4,000 acre of land identified by
Posco for setting up 12 million tonne steel plant. Some of these betel vines are on government land within the proposed site. Betel vine cultivators, including those accused of encroachment, have been opposing the project, fearing that it will lead to loss of their livelihood.
“Posco India has decided to provide alternative land stretches to betel vine owners cultivating on the government land and desiring to continue betel vine cultivation as means of livelihood,” said a company press release. As per the scheme, suitable land that qualifies for betel vine cultivation will be provided within or outside the Posco India project area. Further, adequate assistance will be provided to them for restarting their main source of income.
The Posco scheme covers benefits additional to the resettlement and rehabilitation policy of the Orissa government, the release added.
Meanwhile, Posco India plans to conduct its long-awaited socio-economic survey at the earliest and ascertain the status of betel vine within the project area. A detailed relocation plan will be formulated in collaboration with the Orissa government and the betel vine cultivators.
Considering the present number of betel vine cultivators within the project site, there will be a requirement of approximately 200 acre in two or three places for relocation. The company is actively considering places such as Bayanal Kandha, Bhuyanpal, parts of Dhinkia and Banapata Kandha for the relocation.
“This relocation option will enable both the betel vine farm owners and their employees to retain their livelihood in line with their specialised skills of betel vine cultivation. Since Posco India strongly believes in growing together with the community, it will make all possible efforts from its side to ensure that the betel vine cultivators are not only relocated properly, but also enjoy a better environment by all means,” said Soung-Sik Cho, CMD, Posco India.
Posco to relocate betel vine farmers, offers alternatives
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