Chhattisgarh stamp on NTPC's Talaipalli rehabilitation plan

The Chhattisgarh government had approved the rehabilitation plan for the people affected by the Talaipalli coalmine of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) in Raigarh district.

The district rehabilitation committee reviewed the plan and approved it in a meeting held in Raigarh. The meeting was chaired by state's home minister and in-charge minister for the district Ramsevak Paikra. The rehabilitation plan designed had been at par with the state's rehabilitation policy.

The Talaipalli coalmine that would feed NTPC's proposed 4000-Mw mega power project that would be set up in Lara of the same district. The company had received the environment clearance for developing and operating the coalmine of 18 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) production capacity in a total project area of about 2349 hectares.

Paikra said the compensation should be paid to the affected families in a time-bound manner and basic amenities should be provided in the colonies that the company would be developing for the project affected people. Under the plan, the youth would be given permanent employment.

The state's home minister appealed to the beneficiaries to utilize compensation for the betterment of their families. He cautioned them not to be lured by chit fund companies and fraudulent financial schemes.

The company had been asked to open bank accounts in the names of elders and women. A member of each displaced family should be provided with employment through mining contractor. The Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Pusour block where the coalmine had been located would be expanded and upgraded to skill the youths to get job in the facility.