New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday that it has received several representations over displacement of people due to the Ken-Betwa river-link project in Madhya Pradesh, and has forwarded them to the state government and concerned district administrations for examination and action.
In a written reply to queries by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party MP Ajendra Singh Lodhi regarding rehabilitation of tribal families affected by the project, its compliance with the Forest Rights Act (FRA), and alleged evictions, the Union ministry said it had not received any complaint specifically alleging that disbursed compensation had not reached beneficiaries.
The ministry, however, said it received representations “raising issues of displacement” due to the project. However, it placed the responsibility for resolution on the state government, pointing out that the implementation of the FRA rests with state governments and Union territory administrations.
“These have been forwarded to the State Government of Madhya Pradesh and respective District Administrations for examination and necessary action,” said the reply furnished by Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey.
The Centre’s response comes amid a prolonged agitation by tribal families and other residents affected by the Ken-Betwa river-link project in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district over issues of displacement, rehabilitation and settlements.
The protesters have held a series of symbolic demonstrations in July, including a “jal satyagraha”, a “chita (pyre) satyagraha”, and a “faansi satyagraha”.
The protest also saw an indefinite hunger strike by activist Amit Bhatnagar, whom state police later forcibly removed from the site. Nearly 150 villagers were also removed, visuals of which drew nationwide attention.
In its response, the tribal affairs ministry said the rehabilitation plan for Scheduled Tribe project-affected families was based on a proposal submitted by the National Water Development Agency in 2016.
Quoting a 2016 estimate, it said the first phase of the project would displace 1,913 families comprising 8,339 people, including 648 Scheduled Tribe families.
On questions relating to gram sabha meetings under the FRA, the ministry said date-wise details of meetings, participation, signatures obtained, grievances received regarding consent, compensation and displacement, and their disposal status are not maintained centrally as implementation of the law lies with state governments and UT administrations.
It further said it has been urging states and UTs to ensure that no rightful beneficiary is deprived of forest rights and to comply with Section 4(5) of the FRA, which stipulates that claimants cannot be evicted or removed from forest land under their occupation until the process of recognition and verification of rights is complete. PTI SBR ARB
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