(a) whether many villagers were displaced few years ago following construction of Hirakud Dam in Orissa;
(b) if so, the details of compensation paid to the affected
persons; and
(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to provide
compensation and rehabilitation to the oustees?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SMT. BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) & (c) An amount of Rs. 617.24 lakh was offered as
compensation to the displaced families during the year 1956.
Out of it, an amount of Rs. 396.69 lakh was paid to the
willing displaced families. However, cases in which
compensation offered is disputed and cases in which rights
of individual parties are in question, are still outstanding
for payment. The State Government of Orissa have
constituted a high power committee in 1992 for making
recommendations regarding compensation to the projects
affected persons. On the basis of the recommendations of
this committee, the State Government has allotted Rs. 1.00
crore payment of ex-gratia, out of which about Rs. 47.20
lakh has already been paid.
For rehabilitating oustees, villages have been
laid out in reclaimed area and facilities provided for
drinking water, schools, hospitals, etc.