A 44-year-old man from Kudatini in Ballari district died by suicide at his home on Wednesday, with his family alleging that prolonged distress over an unfulfilled employment promise linked to the Ballari Thermal Power Station (BTPS) project contributed to his death. The family had reportedly surrendered 2.5 acres of land for the project in 2001 after being assured that one family member would be provided employment at BTPS.
The deceased, Chandrashekhar, had reportedly been seeking employment at BTPS for several years. According to his relatives, he had undergone training at Jog Falls and made repeated attempts to secure the promised job, but was never offered employment.
Family members alleged that the prolonged uncertainty over the employment opportunity caused him significant financial and emotional distress. They claimed that despite repeated approaches to the authorities, the employment assurance made when the family surrendered its land was not fulfilled.
Following his death, relatives took the body to the entrance of the BTPS facility and staged a protest. They accused the authorities of failing to honour the alleged employment commitment and demanded action against those responsible.
The incident has once again brought attention to concerns faced by families who surrender land for major infrastructure projects, particularly when employment or rehabilitation assurances are involved.
Kudatini police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death and the allegations raised by the family.
The family’s allegations regarding the employment promise remain subject to verification by the authorities.