Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh): A private coal company has begun to displace 200 tribal people from an area in Mahadhiya village Panchayat. These people have built 40 houses and are living there, but the administration is not listening to their problems.
The tribal people have been living in Mahadhiya village Panchayat for centuries, and they have the right over the land and forests, their only source of income.
If they are displaced, they will be deprived of livelihood and traditional lifestyle. Before demolishing their houses, the government should have followed certain rules, but it was not done in this case.
Singrauli is the energy capital of the country. Because of coal mines and power plants, many people were displaced from their land. The SC/ST people bear the brunt of displacement done in the name of development, as they build their houses on government land.
After displacement, they do not get compensation. Nor are they rehabilitated. They get only peanuts in the name of compensation. The tribal people of Mahadhiya village Panchayat said they would not go anywhere.
Coal washeries projects not only cause social problems but also pollute the environment and water. Collector of Singrauli Chandrashekhar Shukla said the government allotted land to the coal company, Mahaveer Coal Washeries.
There are reports that some families are living there, Shukla said, adding that the government will pay attention to their welfare and the company will give them compensation.
