Bolagnir, Sept 26: Today the Bolangir Action Committee commenced its ‘Jal Satyagraha’ in order to protest against the alleged indifference shown by the Odisha Government towards the lower Suktel project.
It’s stated that around 14 villages under the project area are taking part in the movement. The Satyagraha movement is being observed in river Suktel near the Khagsabhal village. A bike rally was also arranged earlier in the day. On demanding compensation to the displaced according to the 2013 rehabilitation and resettlement policy, the committee decided to continue with its revolt which ended with a two-hour long meeting inconclusive on Sunday.
The action committee has also expressed its discontentment over the slower pace of Suktel project despite the sanctioning of huge funds by the government. It also held a week-long fast-unto-death in 2012 when the project work was stopped without any specified reason. While the project got Rs 217 Cr fund in 1999, the same was Rs 1042 Cr and Rs 2448 Cr in 2009 and 2016 respectively.
Yesterday, the members of the committee met the district Collector, Bolangir SP, chief engineer of Suktel project and land procurement officer and held discussion on the issue. The Bolangir Collector has made an appeal to the committee to stop the ‘Satyagraha’.
