Heatwave hits POSCO land acquisition

PARADIP: Heatwave affected land acquisition process at Nuagaon and Gadkujang panchayats on Thursday. Ersama BDO Murlidhar Swain said the demolition work has been suspended for the day and will be resumed on Friday and Saturday in Nuagaon and Gobindpur villages.With temperature hovering around 40 to 42 degree Celsius, the officials engaged in the process have complained of dizziness. Three officials fell unconscious on Wednesday, sources said. It is being alleged that the Government’s directive against engaging labourers between 11 am and 3 pm is being violated here.As many as 80 officials from the revenue, forest and horticulture departments are engaged in verification of documents and removal of betel vines, prawn ponds, trees and other structures from the encroached government and forest lands since May 18.