House panel accuses BSL of failing on promises

BOKARO: The five-member MLA committee, who was here to take stock of the condition of rehabilitated villages of Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL), have accused the company of lying.
The committee comprises Gomia MLA Madhavlal Singh, Dumri MLA Jaggarnath Mahto, Baghmara MLA Dullu Mahto, Barkatta MLA Amit Yadav and Chandankyari MLA Umakant Rajak. The committee was set up after Rajak had raised the demand to solve the displacement problem related to BSL in the assembly recently.To ascertain the ground reality of the development claimed by the BSL, the committee members surveyed almost all the displaced villages.
On Tuesday the committee visitedc Telidih, Wasteji, Pachora and Ranidih villages located in and around the BSL. Rajak said they found that BSL has made false claims about the development in rehabilitated areas when they compare it with the ground reality. "None of the displaced persons are happy. They felt cheated by giving their lands to BSL for setting up the steel plant. We have found that the BSL has lied to everyone," said Singh.
Mahto said: "What we found while surveying the area is that the BSL is a big liar. There is no electricity, road, water, drains, community hall, playing ground and other facilities that BSL had promised to provide to the displaced people while acquiring their land. BSL has been claiming that it has provided these basic amenities in the area. All its claims are only on paper."