The Jagatsinghpur district administration has initiated steps to expedite land acquisition for POSCO’s mega steel plant in Orissa following the announcement of the compensation package for the project affected persons.

Sources said the process is likely to take off from Noliasahi where the district administration has received overwhelming support for the project. The disbursement of compensation is expected to start from July 18.

After the finalization of the POSCO package the administration has decided to issue notification for payment of compensation within the next couple of days. It is also advising betel vine cultivators to apply for compensation. However the villagers have demanded correction in the site survey report by including the betel vines that were left out before a notice for the payment of compensation is issued.

During the socio economic survey a total of 1,503 betel vines operating in an area of 153.40 acres in Noliashai, Bayanalkanda, Polanga, Nuagaon Gobindpur and Bhuiyanpal villages were identified. However there were 374 betel vines covering an area of 50.87 acres which could not be properly identified as their owners did not come forward to claim the ownership of the property.

On the other hand 31 prawn gheris operating in an area 269.96 acres have been identified in Nuagaon, Bhiyanpal and Jatadhari villages. Similarly fruit and non fruit bearing trees in respect of 985 beneficiaries have been enumerated in these villages. The value of these trees has been estimated at INR 3.90 crore.

(Sourced from Business Standard)