Navin Jindal in Dumka on Friday. (Rajesh Kumar Pandey)

Dumka, Dec. 24: Industrialist Naveen Jindal today sought to allay the fears of tribal-dominated Santhal Pargana by claiming that land would not be acquired without the consent of raiyats.

The owner of Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) arrived in Dumka today to take stock of the progress being made for setting up a power plant at Shikaripara. Yesterday, he visited Sundarpahari in Godda, where another power project is coming up.

“The JSPL signed MoUs with the state government for the projects. The responsibility for land acquisition rests with the government. However, I can assure all that under no circumstances, land would be acquired without the consent of raiyats (owners),” Jindal, also a Congress MP, said at a news meet.

On the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act, which prohibits direct sale-purchase of land, he said he did not have any idea about it.

Regarding the power plants, the industrialist claimed that a majority of villagers were willing to hand over their plots, as a vast portion of chosen land was barren. When pointed out that some landowners, refusing to part with their plots, had submitted a memorandum to Godda deputy commissioner, Jindal said the number of such villagers was few.

“A majority of them want the power plant to take shape as they know it will usher in development. JSPL will ensure availability of safe drinking water and health facilities in the project area by 2011 although the plant will be commissioned much later,” Jindal said.

He added that the natural resources of Santhal Pargana, particularly coal, had been lying useless for centuries, which must be exploited for the large interests of the local people. “The country is facing an acute crisis of power. These projects are the need of the hour,” he pointed out.

In reply to another question, the industrialist conceded that earlier bitter experience of the displaced had made the common people apprehensive towards industrial projects. “But the Union government, the respective state governments and of course, industrial houses are more generous now. They try to provide a lot of benefits to the land losers. In the present scenario, the displaced are the beneficiaries,” Jindal said.

He also urged the local administrative authorities to enquire into the long pending matter of land acquisition and other aspects.

Calling the just concluded panchayat elections to be a landmark development, the MP said the rural bodies must play a positive role in creating opportunities for development and employment by promoting industrialisation.