Hope for Posco: Protesters meet CM,allow rehab survey

“The government agreed to our proposal. The survey can start,but we have also invited the chief minister to visit the affected areas to assess the loss of livelihood due to the project. The CM has agreed to our proposal. We are happy with the talks,” PPSS chief Abhay Sahu said after the meeting.

Incidentally,government officials were initially cagey about allowing Sahu to meet the CM as he has non-bailable warrants against him. Police has slapped at least 36 criminal cases,including for attempt to murder,rioting,abduction of foreign nationals and arsoning,against him.

The state Revenue Department has already completed the survey in Gadkujang and Nuagaon panchayats. However,survey could not be conducted in Gobindpur due to protests by villagers.

Surveyors are verifying the last survey conducted in 2008 to assess the valuation of betel vines and other crops,based on which the state would announce a new rehabilitation package for the 2,700 affected people in seven villages.

Revenue Divisional Commissioner P K Mohapatra,who was present at Sunday’s meeting,described the talks as a major victory for the government. “From now on,the protesters would remove the barricade which was hindering entry of officials to the village. The survey would be completed by June 24 after which the district administration would announce the new rehabilitation package. We hope things will be smooth for the project,” Mohapatra said.