I have worked for more than 8 years in various R&R
projects. In this time period closely watched 25 mega development projects. The
land acquisition was to the tune of 5000 hectare or more in each project. I
followed those project areas even after the projects came to an end- sometimes
for Social Impact Assessment (SIA) studies and other times owing to pure
academic interest. I have overseen projects mostly in northern states. The only
exception was Andhra Pradesh. The experiences that I would share are from
states of Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha
and Bihar.
It was interesting to observe that none of the project
promoter be it government agency or private, want to deal with the project that
has any rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) issue. As per the promoters
the problematic nature of R&R issue can cause such delay in the
implementation of the project that in most cases project become economically
unviable. Therefore sincere effort goes to identify a land with least R&R
issues unlike Singur in West Bengal or Jajpur in Odisha.
I have witnessed on the one hand, State Governments
bargaining with industrialist for the best rehabilitation package and the Chief
Secretary of the state fighting for one job per family or for subsistence
allowance as if he himself is loosing land and house. It makes me ponder why I
doubt the government is really for the people, of the people, by the people. On
the other hand, I have also seen entire government machinery working for the
project developer and accepting meager package towards R&R. The Project
Affected People (PAP) are the worst loser in this case. Definitely economic
agenda and nature of governance at state level play a major role in deciding
R&R packages. The more the state government is ready to bargain, the better
it is for the people.
As per my personal experience nearly 90% project affected
families gets due as per the R&R package as decided for the project and
disbursement happen with proper guidelines. Then where lies a problem?
The first major flaw of R&R packages that I have
experiences is though there is provision for ‘land for land’ compensation but
people “opt” (if it can be called a choice that is) for ‘cash for land’. The flaw
is that people can opt! This is an uninformed choice. The primary reasons for
such acceptance that in these areas agriculture doesn’t sustain their families
for entire year. They have not given a fair opportunity to develop their lands
and agriculture. This is coupled with their apprehension that the land that
will be offered would be distantly located. Therefore the PAP families don’t
even bargain for ‘land for land’ compensation.
Secondly, there is another provision of subsistence
allowance. This should be given to each family each month throughout the life
of the project. The clever project promoters bargain for one time compensation
to free themselves from any long-term liability. Again PAP families unaware of
the implication accept this as the amount that is paid one time is beyond their
imagination.
Are you wondering why the PAP families again become
marginalized after getting such handsome package? It is because no one bothers
to prepare the community or assist them with financial planning. The community
needs hand holding for considerable time for both financial planning at
household level or awareness about their rights and duties. Without any
guidance the unaware and mostly un-educated people become subject to
exploitation by their own relatives, village opinion leaders, vehicle dealers,
insurance companies and most importantly mushrooming liquor shops in the
vicinity.
A sincere effort from the Project promotes should go into
the skill development trainings and awareness generation on their rights under
packages from very beginning of project conceptualization to save vulnerable
people from such exploitation. The PAP families should be made aware of
benefits of R&R package that includes assistance in health, livelihood and
infrastructure development and under Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR,
the business concerns involved are mandated to increase their quality of
living.
The proper networking among government machinery, NGOs and
project promoters can assist the vulnerable community and in return the dream
of inclusive growth may get a shape. But is anyone even thinking about them?
The answer my friend is blowing in the wind…
