Gadkari demands equities for displaced people

Bhubaneswar, Jan 18 (PTI) With mega industries facing landacquisition problem, BJP today demanded equities for peoplewhose land was acquired for setting up industries and theirrehabilitation.

"Equities must be provided in the companies to the thosewhose land was acquired for setting up industrial projects,"BJP President Nitin Gadkari told reporters here.

Describing as very low the prices being offered for landto the people facing displacement due to industrial projects,Gadkari said the oustees should be compensated for their landat the market rate and offered attractive packages.

In addition, the BJP chief demanded concrete measures torehabilitate the people affected by the project much beforethe setting up of the projects and said initiatives in thisregard had been taken in Maharashtra.

Lamenting that it takes years for displaced people to getmoney for acquisition of their land, Gadkari said an agencyshould be entrusted with the task of handling such operationon a turn-key basis to ensure time-bound and smooth completionof entire process.

Gadkari''s suggestion came at a time when mega projectslike Posco and Vedanta were facing a number of obstaclesincluding resistance from people opposing acquisition of theirland for industries.

Citing an example in Maharashtra, he said the process wascompleted in 18 months for a project in Nagpur.

Gadkari said besides good houses, resettlement coloniesshould be provided with all facilities and civic amenitiesincluding concrete roads, water supply, schools and collegesand health care facilities.

People affected by the projects should also be allowed toform associations to enable them to lead quality life.