By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:The 16th RPDAC and 12th DMF Trust Board meetings of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) were held today in the presence of Member of Parliament Shri Dharmendra Pradhan with the aim of accelerating the development, proper rehabilitation, fair compensation and socio-economic progress of the mining-affected people of Anagula district.
The RPDAC meeting reviewed in detail the 21 important agenda items related to the problems of mining affected villages, land acquisition, proper compensation to the displaced, rehabilitation and proper management of rehabilitation colonies. ACL has been directed to prepare a comprehensive ‘Master Plan’ for the future development of the mining area, proper rehabilitation, alternative employment and related facilities. It has been decided to prepare a ‘Web Portal’ or One Stop Solution for easy and quick resolution of land, compensation and employment related problems of the displaced and affected people.
It has been proposed to upgrade the Central Workshop of MCLR and set up a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for the mining sector to empower the local youth. To control the increasing pollution in the Talcher-Angul region, emphasis has been placed on creating double the amount of new forest as per the current Forest Act and on extensive tree plantation to compensate for the loss of forests due to mining.
Apart from this, the DMF Trust Board meeting reviewed the projects for infrastructure and public services of the region through proper and clean investment of mineral revenue funds. In particular, there was a detailed discussion on the progress of key sectors such as development of mining-intensive regions, education, health, drinking water, skill development, women and child welfare, agriculture, transportation, infrastructure and clean environment. The meeting focused on the development of infrastructure of schools and 100% electrification, increasing the number and infrastructure of community health centers and health temples, providing ‘youth-centric’ skilling with AI ecosystem for the youth and related issues such as waste management.
At the end of the meeting, MP Shri Pradhan said that the ‘double engine’ government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to bringing the benefits of development to the people at the bottom of the mining affected areas. With the participation of the local people, Angul district will be made a model district in the fields of education, health, environment and self-employment.
Dhenkanal MP Shri Rudra Narayan Pani, Angul district MLAs, Regional Revenue Commissioners, District Administrative Officers and MCL and other officials were prominently present in these meetings.
