Tata's proposed plant fuels dispute in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Jun 4 (UNI) A dispute has ensued over distribution of Rs seven crore as compensation for land acquired for a Tata steel plant proposed in Bastar in the Chhattisgarh.

Communist Party of India leader and Adivasi Mahasabha President Manish Kunjam yesterday complained to state Governor E S L Narasimhan that the compensation was doled out to the wrong people even as Bastar's Collector M S Paraste described the allegations as baseless.

''Lohandiguda's 82 farmers are against handing over land for the plant and submitted a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police, Bastar. Despite that, their land was acquired and compensation doled out to imposters and even in the names of several deceased,'' alleged Mr Kunjam.

Several beneficiaries in Kumhali and Dhura villages included many revenue officials' families and those who work on unauthorised basis for the Tata group, he said while calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe.

On the other hand, Mr Paraste maintained that complete transparency and full care were exercised in distribution of compensation and the process was carried out in public.

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