Jajpur: Large-scale irregularities have allegedly been committed in the transfer of government land to an under-construction private cement manufacturing firm at Bairi village under Barchana block in Jajpur district, sources said Tuesday. It has been alleged that Hyderabad-based ‘Maha Cement Pvt Ltd.’ has acquired 113 acres of land for its plant when it needs only 68 acres.
Sources alleged that the extra land has been acquired in connivance with Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) officials. The company is planning to set up a grinding unit with an annual capacity of three metric tonne. The company in a public hearing conducted August 5, 2022, had said that it needs 68 acres of land. Rumours are afloat that the company is portraying the excess land to obtain loans from various banks and is planning to invest the amounts in other projects outside Odisha.
Locals have questioned the basis on which 113 acres of land was handed over to ‘Maha Cement Pvt Ltd’. They have demanded a proper investigation into the matter. Locals also pointed out that to run a grinding plant, a large quantity of water is needed. However, there is no regular source of water at the plant site. They also said that the management is yet to provide compensation to owners from whom private plots have been acquired. Locals also pointed out that since many private landowners have not been paid, they are facing an acute financial crunch.
Sources stated that initially, the management had said that the grinding plant will be set up at an investment of Rs 600 crore. It also said that more than 300 local people will be employed by the company. However, to date, only non-Odias have been recruited. This has left the local residents fuming. “The company has breached all norms and yet the state government is not doing anything to prevent such gross injustice,” the locals pointed out. Such is the situation now that the company management and the local residents are at loggerheads. The company is using its clout to terrorise local villagers. Many false cases have been filed against the villagers, locals alleged. People also pointed out that the company has encroached on many roads leading to plots of farmers. As a result, farmers are facing hindrances to carry out agricultural work.
Local farmer Dilip Swain alleged that the company has erected barricades on the road leading to his farmland, thereby severely restricting his movement. He stated that he has to sign a register to enter his own farmland. Also, he cannot take agriculture equipment like tractors to his ‘own property’ for farming. A similar allegation was raised by farmer Dhaneswar Swain. He said that his 1.30-acre land is lying uncultivated as the road leading to it has been completely encroached on by the cement company.
Others expressed shock at the official apathy meted out to them despite repeated complaints to the district administration. When contacted, Nilambar Mishra, public relations officer (PRO) of ‘Maha Cement’ asserted that everything is being done as per rules and all promises will be fulfilled.
