Hundreds of farmers demonstrated in front of the collectorate on Wednesday in protest against delay in disbursement of compensation among famers of Hirakud area who had lost their paddy because of emission of poisonous gas from Hirakud-based Hindalco Aluminum smelter plant.
They said the company management and district administration assured farmers to provide compensation at a rate of Rs12,000 per acre after huge crop loss. But till date no step was taken to distribute the money.
“Since we are busy in the panchayat elections, it was not possible to distribute the money. But compensation will be disbursed as soon as possible” collector (Sambalpur) Mrinalini Darswal said. Hindalco officials were not available for comments.
