The district administration in Jagatsinghpur in Odisha has decided to temporarily keep in abeyance the land acquisition process for the Rs. 52,000 crore Posco steel project. It is the result of anti-Posco agitation stalling the process since February 6. Police forces have been withdrawn from the area. Only two platoons will remain to protect villagers, particularly those who have given their land. Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti leader Abhoy Sahu said that though he had ended his fast, the dharna would continue as two police platoons had still been deployed. Land acquisition in the area had resumed on February 3 following clashes between agitators and the police. The agitation over the Posco steel plant in Odissha has been going on for some time. The project involves acquisition of land, not necessarily agricultural.
This is a most controversial issue in different parts of India. While the setting up of heavy industry facilities, with or without foreign investment contributes to growth, the grabbing of land causes a large number of people to be displaced from their homes. Promises of rehabilitation and substantial compensation cannot satisfy villagers who have an emotional bond with their land. The issue was so disputed that it led to the fall of the Left Front government in West Bengal. The need for development in backward regions cannot be denied. Posco, a South Korean company could help Odisha’s growth significantly. However, although growth and land acquisition are two separate issues, one cannot go without the other. Amendments to the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 are to be debated in parliament soon. Different proposals will be tabled. States may be allowed to follow policies different from the Centre’s but that has to be finalised. The Nabin Patnaik government was hasty in resuming acquisition.