Jamshedpur DC inspects tailing pond, assures problem redressal of villagers

CO directed to complete rehabilitation process

Jamshedpur, May 13 : East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Vijaya Jadhav reached Chatikocha village along with other senior officers of the district to discuss rehabilitation of villagers in Potka block.

The Deputy Commissioner inquired about the compensation payment made by UCIL after the land acquisition, the jobs of the villagers and the basic facilities available in the village. Some people have not yet taken the compensation amount, which has been deposited in the treasury, also know its reality.

Villagers told that at the time of displacement there were 46 families in the village, which has now increased to 68 families. They demanded that UCIL should give compassionate job to the family members of the personnel who died, as well as speed up the job applications of those whose applications are under process. They said that unemployment will become a big problem in front of the people here due to not getting jobs on compassionate grounds, there is no land left to sustain them from agricultural work.

  Talked about poor quality water supply in the village, on which the Deputy Commissioner immediately instructed the engineer of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department to conduct an investigation while collecting samples. Also, the villagers told about being affected by the disease due to the dust of uranium waste due to its proximity to Tailing Pond. The villagers also said that the land of 12 decimals provided per family for their rehabilitation in Dhobni village was insufficient.

The villagers said that not only settlement, but they should also get some agricultural land, along with proper arrangements for sports ground, place of religious rituals, school, medical. The Deputy Commissioner listened seriously to each and every demand of the villagers and assured them that the process of their rehabilitation would be started soon.

She asked the CO of Potka present on the spot to complete the rehabilitation process as soon as possible by talking to the villagers of Dhobni as well.

After being aware of the problems of the villagers, the Deputy Commissioner along with the team reached to inspect the tailing pond. The villagers complained that the tailings pond overflows, contaminating the surrounding water, and there is a risk of getting sick due to radioactivity.

UCIL officials present on the spot gave full details about the tailing pond, however, denied any possible danger from the uranium waste. On the spot, it was found that the trees at the obvious place built in the area of the pond have dried up. In view of the demand of the villagers, the Deputy Commissioner directed the officials of UCIL to investigate and solve the problems of quality of health camp and drinking water, and to speed up the process of applications for jobs on compassionate grounds and to ensure the welfare of the villagers. Necessary instructions were given after detailed discussion on other important issues.