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A 70-million-tonne coalfield at Talcher in Odisha, contributing nearly one-sixth of Coal India’s annual production, is set to be closed by the supporters of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) from Friday. Power generation in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana could be affected.

The agitators are fighting for the cause of 122 people at Hensamul village, who are blocking the expansion of a large mine. All of them, owning 10 decimals (a tenth of an acre) or more of land, were offered employment by CIL.

This is over and above the cash compensation awarded for the agricultural land, alternative land, and INR 3-5 lakh to build houses. Odisha was one of the first States to roll out a generous resettlement and rehabilitation policy, in 2012. The CIL package, company officials say, far exceeds the guidelines.

But when the time came to move, in 2013, the villagers wanted to be relocated to another coal-bearing area nearby that is to be acquired soon. The ploy, CIL sources say, is to begin bargaining afresh with the miner.

After several rounds of discussions, CIL terminated the services of the 122 people on May 6. The termination was delayed until after the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in April, at the request of the ruling BJD government. Having come back to power with a thumping majority, the BJD does not want to lose popular support.

Source-On Request