(Government’s Primary Duty is to Ensure Prosperous Life for Displaced People: Bhakta Charan Das) – Subtitle column

TNI Bureau: Against the Industrial Exploitation in Odisha, PCC President Bhakta Charan Das on Tuesday launched the “Gandhi Pathe Nyaya Padayatra” from Dhinkia towards the state capital, protesting alleged exploitation and injustice by industrial houses and the government’s “pro-corporate” policies.

The march, organised by the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee, witnessed participation from several senior Congress leaders, party workers and hundreds of local residents.

Addressing the media, OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das said displacement caused by mining and industrial projects has become a major issue across Odisha. He alleged that despite earning massive revenue from mineral resources, successive governments have failed to formulate a clear rehabilitation and resettlement policy for displaced families.

Das questioned why affected regions continue to suffer from poverty, migration and unemployment despite the presence of large industrial projects. He said villagers living near factories still reside in huts while local youth are forced to migrate for work as industries allegedly deny them employment opportunities.

He cited areas such as Angul, Talcher, Kalinganagar, Lanjigarh and Rayagada, claiming displacement issues remain unresolved in these industrial and mining belts.

The Congress leader alleged that people in the POSCO-affected region earlier faced oppression and are now experiencing similar treatment from JSW-linked industrial activities. He accused the government of excessively favouring corporations while neglecting the rights of local communities.

“People are not against industries. They only demand their rightful compensation and rehabilitation,” Das said, adding that agricultural land and ancestral homes are being acquired without ensuring adequate rehabilitation measures.

Referring to the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, he said displaced families are legally entitled to compensation, monthly financial support, housing and rehabilitation benefits. He alleged that these provisions have not been properly implemented in the POSCO region and claimed many affected families have not received land titles since 2006.

Bhakta Das further alleged that affected residents are facing intimidation and threats from company representatives. He said many people in the region had earlier undergone imprisonment during anti-land acquisition protests.

Stating that the Congress would continue its fight through non-violent democratic means, Das said the “Nyaya Yatra” aims to secure justice and dignity for displaced communities.

Several senior Congress leaders including Suresh Routray, Nagendra Pradhan, Lalatendu Mohapatra, Minakshi Bahinipati and others participated in the march.