Author: Sonu Jain
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: July 11, 2006
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/story/8308.html
The report of the Shunglu committee set the
tone for Supreme Court's direction. The three-member committee found no major
discrepancy in the Action Taken Report (ATR) of the Madhya Pradesh government
showing the status of rehabilitation of oustees, putting the entire Narmada
controversy to rest.
The committee was set up by the Prime Minister
to look at the most contentious issues: ascertain the number of Project Affected
Families (PAFs) and estimate the number of PAFs who may not have received
the R&R package in full measure so far.
V K Shunglu was the chairman. The other members
of the committee were G K Chadha and Jaiprakash Narayan. They submitted their
200-page report to the Ministry of Water Resources earlier this week.
These are some of their major findings and
recommendations, taking into account a National Sample Survey Organisation
(NSSO) report from 177 villages in the Narmada valley:
o On PAF numbers
No substantial deviation was discovered in
the number of PAFs. Those who claimed they had been left out are not entirely
correct in making these claims. Some of them are actually moving into affected
villages hoping to get compensation.
NSSO was asked to enumerate all those who
were "left out" and they found 6,485 such claimants. Of these 1,367
have approached the Grievance Redressal Authority (GRA). Of the remaining
5,118 claimants, 98 per cent have claimed loss of homestead. Verification
of their residence has shown that 3,000 persons were not residents of the
village in the 2001 census. To be eligible, a person has to be a resident
for at least one year prior to the date of acquisition of his property.
Of the total claimants, 56 per cent were from
22 villages alone. The survey teams found that population of these 22 villages
have demonstrated an extraordinary increase between the two censuses-140 per
cent in respect of population and 162 per cent in respect of households. In
sharp contrast, the remaining 155 villages display negative growth of population
as well as household. "The data would would seem to suggest population
movement in search of compensation".
On payments and compensation
The report confirms that the Special Rehabilitation
Package (SRP) is a legitimate substitute for providing land for land as stipulated
in the Narmada Water Dispute Tribunal Award.
The survey found that 38.4 per cent PAFs found
the SRP more attractive, 26.1 per cent said that they followed relatives when
they took it. The quality of land in the land bank is average and it is not
irrigable or cultivable. "The contrast between the category of land offered,
generally grazing land from the land bank and the alternative of expecting
to purchase irrigated land of one's choice seem to have tilt the balance of
the latter."
For this reason, land purchases through SRP
mechanism have picked up recently. While Madhya Pradesh government reported
652 cases in its ATR, NSSO found 1,137 people had drawn the second instalment
and purchased land. Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) has now reported
that 1,650 persons have completed purchase of land.
o On facilities at R&R sites
Facilities created at the R&R sites throw
up a mixed picture-good at 37 sites, average at 25 sites and poor at 24 sites.
Deficiencies in most sites can be removed by developing uneven plots and proper
maintenance and repair of roads and buildings. Deficiencies can be removed
during the financial year.
o Poor progress in shifting of PAFs to R&R
sites is the absence of threat of submergence.
o Over 4,000 cases have been referred by GRA
to NVDA. Progress in disposal of these cases requires to be expedited and
in any case they should be disposed in the next three months.
o An action plan should be prepared for 37
sites classified as good. This plan should be based on 100 per cent survey
of all PAFSs assigned to these sites and should spell out dates by which current
habitation will be vacated and new sites occupied.
o NVDA under superintendence of the GRA would
be required to settle claims of 4,000 claimants to the GRA.
o More support to Narmada Control Authority
(NCA), which would monitor to ensure compliance.
sonu.jain@expressindia.com
