Demolition of Saw's residence: Former Congress minister Yogendra Saw's house demolished for NTPC project; Allegations of unfair compensation emerge

Hazaribag: Authorities on Thursday demolished the Joradag residence of former agriculture minister and senior Congress leader Yogendra Saw for expansion of NTPC’s Chatti Bariatu coal mining project in Keredari block.A large contingent of police and administrative officials was deployed at the site as the demolition drive began.Saw’s daughter and former Barkagaon MLA, Amba Prasad, termed the action unjust and accused the administration and the state govt of wrongdoing. “I have full faith in the judiciary and will approach the court for legal action,” she said.Saw also alleged that the house was demolished without proper compensation. He took to ‘X’ to criticise the move.NTPC officials said that the land where Saw’s house stood falls under Joradag mauza and was registered in the name of Rajdeep Sao, a resident of Joradag village. The land was later registered in Saw’s name in 2010, but mutation was never completed. NTPC officials said compensation for structures — including the chimney, boundary wall, and building — was assessed by the building division. Saw was asked to accept the compensation but he allegedly demanded a combined amount for both the house and structures, including his firebrick factory, which was demolished in 2025, on the land.NTPC AGM Nilamadhab Swain confirmed the demolition, stating, “After he failed to accept the compensation despite repeated notices, the company deposited Rs 1.97 crore with the state govt in June 2025.”During the operation, Barkagaon DSP Pawan Kumar, district transport officer Baijnath Kamti, and other officials were present, along with hundreds of security personnel, turning the area into a virtual cantonment. Kumar said the demolition was carried out peacefully.