Displaced for Development

 Dear All

Displacement of the people / villages for the sake of development has become regular and deviates from the basic purpose with poor resettlement and rehabilitation. The comments and suggestions made on one such displacement published in Down to Earth (15th August 2012), CSE, New Delhi were pasted below as:     

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It is the clear cut example of low priority for the marginalized people and mismatched resettlement and rehabilitation programmes.

We have got several such examples where people were displaced for want of development for others. Certainly there is no logic in this case. The reasons for acquiring land for development is being misused with priority to outsider who wants to take out the wealth by all means. The basic definition of DEVELOPMENT do get transformed for the development of outsiders rather than the displaced / affected people. In addition, the RR Packages are not on the need based and gives low priority for the concern and preterites of the PAPs.    

This is one major issue of the people to oppose for the developmental programmes all kinds which needs land acquisition or causes pollution.

In spite all these challenges, still developmental projects can be taken up with the following measures as:

£ Plan for the need based development.

£ Assess the actual or minimum need of land required  for the actual development or project rather than its future plans.

£ Discuss with the PAPs about the plans, activities and consequences. 

£ Try to find out the alternatives or reorientation with minimum acquisition of land and other resources.

£ Use the local resources to the maximum extent with  better adaptability. 

£ Provide better opportunities for the local people to be part of the whole process.

£ Provide matching RR compensation for house, land and other community resources.

£ See that the PAPs are well placed at least what they are before the project.  

£ Other needs of the PAPs with sustainable  livelihoods with QOL.

The above listed measures and other local needs will certainly help the local people / PAPs to understand the concept and consequences of the proposed development. This further lead for their acceptance with participation for developing the wealth of the Nation.    

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