The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 23, 2022
In a significant development, the Orissa High Court on Wednesday sought a fresh report from the State government on the alleged police excesses on villagers opposing the proposed JSW mega steel project at Dhinkia in Jagatsinghpur district.
In its directive today, the High Court asked the fact finding committee to visit the site again on March 5 and have a fresh round of discussion with the project-affected villagers and other stakeholders as the villagers could not interact with the committee members freely last time due to certain incidence.
To recall, the plant site had turned into a battlefield on December 14 last year as villagers clashed with police over demolition of betel vines.
Asking the Jagatsinghpur Collector and Superintendent of Police to be personally present during the meeting, the High Court said that the people of the Dhinkia Gram Panchayat can participate in the proposed meeting with the HC-appointed committee on the scheduled date.
The fact-finding committee will submit its report on March 8, 2022.
The Collector will also submit the report on status of public hearing and environmental impact assessment, the HC said.
The court has fixed March 11, 2022 for the next hearing on the matter.
