UAC wants Posco survey put off

In a major twist to the ongoing socio-economic survey in the site area of the Posco's 12 million tonne steel plant near Paradip, the United Action Committee formed by the villagers affected by the project today urged the Jagatsinghpur district administration to put off the survey work till "all the villagers were convinced about the intentions of the company and clarified about the compensation package they are likely to receive in lieu of land".

The development has put a question mark on continuation of the survey work, which has already been delayed by over a year. The survey work had started yesterday after the UAC had assured to cooperate in the drive.

However, it had lodged strong protests yesterday over reported remarks of Posco-India executive director in a local TV channel describing the land to be acquired by the company as "not fertile" and expressing unwillingness to talk to UAC on compensation demands.

Due to protests by the villagers, the survey work had wound up early yesterday after the survey team had visited only about a dozen houses in Noliasahi village. In an encore of the yesterday's events, the survey stopped midway today following the protest of the villagers after the survey team had visited only houses in the village.

Later the villagers met under the banner of UAC and decided to urge the district administration to postpone the survey work till certain contentious issues regarding project are properly clarified.

"The villagers took strong objection to remarks of Posco-India executive director in a local TV channel describing the land to be acquired by the company not being fertile and compensation demands of the village too tall for negotiation", pointed out Soumendra Nayak, a UAC member.

"The villagers are not yet convinced about the intentions of the company and need commitment of the company and the government on the compensation package", he said, adding, "till such time, the UAC has recommended for suspension of the survey work".

UAC has informed the Kujang Tehsildar, Debasish Singh about its decision.

Admitting that he has been informed by the UAC members about the decision of the committee verbally over telephone, Singh said, "the final decision on continuation of survey work in the circumstances will taken by the district administration and he is waiting for necessary instruction in this regard".