Joda: Even as the construction of the Kanpur irrigation project has been going on at a tardy pace for over 17 years, rehabilitation of the oustees in 17 villages has emerged a major stumbling block for the project despite efforts of the district administration to sort out the issue.
The major irrigation project, which is being constructed across river Baitarani, 10 km from Joda, was undertaken in 1999 and was scheduled to be completed by 2013-14.
Though more than two years have passed since the deadline, only 40 per cent of the project work has been completed till date.
On the other hand, discontent is brewing among the project affected and displaced people in the 17 villages. They alleged they have not been rehabilitated as per the rehabilitation and resettlement policy (R&R) of 2013.
Only people of three villages have been relocated but basic facilities like healthcare and education have not been made available to them. Under such circumstances, execution of the project has remained uncertain.
However, the district administration continues its efforts to break the stalemate. Thursday, collector N Tirumala Nayak along with a host of administrative officials held a meeting with the project oustees at the project office, where the latter raised their issues. The discussion focused on shifting of schools and Anganwadi centres and repair of dilapidated houses in 17 villages.
The collector was told that `4.50 lakh was granted for repair of 13 Anganwadi centres while Ravenshawpur Anganwadi centre is running from a school verandah and the Anganwadi at Gamlei has been in a precarious state. Due to bad state of Anganwadi buildings, the kids were shifted elsewhere.
After the meeting, the oustees alleged they have been facing difficulties due to inordinate delay in payment of compensation to them and the slow pace of the project work.
Padmavati Mohant, a project affected woman, demanded that the government should make clear its rehabilitation policy for them.
The collector and the project officer assured the people that they will be rehabilitated as per existing R&R policy.
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