The issue of benefits to scheduled castes and tribes
The State Government has recognized PAPs/PAFs from MP/MH as beneficiaries for providing benefits of various welfare schemes as available to the SC/ST population of Gujarat. At the behest of the GRA, the State Government has requested the Union Government to include such PAPs/PAFs in the list of SC/STs recognized in Gujarat so that constitutional and statutory opportunities and benefits in the matter of employment are available to them.
The issue of extending benefits available to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes PAFs of Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra, resettling in Gujarat on account of displacement due to Sardar Sarovar, was raised by GOMP in the 8 Ih R&R Sub Group Meeting held on 27-7-89. This issue was further discussed in the 10 lh R&R Sub Group Meeting held on 7-5-90 and also in the 1 l lh meeting held on 21-1-91. Ministry of Welfare, GOI stated that it was examining this issue. In the 15 th meeting of R&R Sub Group held on 2-5-91. GOG informed that it has passed orders extending non-statutory benefits to PAFs of Schedule Caste Scheduled Tribe of MP resettling in Gujarat. Ministry of Welfare. GOI , solicited information about such castes/tribes and their numbers from MP & Maharashtra.
In the 30 th ' meeting of R&R Sub Group held on 8-8-95 the Ministry of Welfare. GOI informed the Sub-Group that the issue was being looked into.
Non statutory / semi statutory Benefits extended by Government of Gujarat
- Government of Gujarat Social Welfare Dept & Tribal Dev Dept. Reso. No. SCWl99l/20l/Kh dt. 18-7-91 extending Non-statutory / Semi-statutory benefits to Scheduled Caste /Scheduled Tribe PAFs of MP resettling in Gujarat.
- Government of Gujarat Social Welfare & Tribal Dev Dept Reso. No. SS/W/109/1429/H dt. 6-3-97 extending Semi-statutory / Non-statutory benefits of Scheduled Caste /Scheduled Tribe in Gujarat to PAF's of Mil (so notified in Maharashtra) resettling in Gujarat.
- Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of Gujarat Resolution No. SSP- 1199-572 KH 22-6-99 extending benefits of socially & economically backward classes to such PAFs of MP & MH who are resettling in Gujarat due to SSP.
The project and the proceedings of the Supreme Court
The Sardar Saiovar Project has frequently faced opposition from anti-dam lobbies. In answer to 2 writ petitions filed by such activists. (Writ Petition 1201 of 1990-Shn B.D. Sharma Vs Union & Others: Writ Petition (Civil) No. 319 of 1994 - Narmada Bachao Andolan vs Union & Others) the Supreme Court ruled that:
- A Rehabilitation Committee be set up to visit the resettlement sites and submergence area and supervise the resettlement process
- 10 directions (the famous majority judgment attached in Appendix^.)
During the proceedings before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, Govt. of Gujarat constituted a high level autonomous Grievances Redressal Authority (by Govt. Resolution dated 16.2.1999). The Authority provides a forum in which the affected persons resettled in Gujarat from the affected areas in the different States could get redressal of their grievances till the entire resettlement process is completed. The decisions and directions of GRA in all matters relating to grievances / complaints of PAPs / PAFs are final and binding on the State of Gujarat. GRA has taken an innovative step by installing a permanent In- House Grievances Redressal Mechanism in Sardar Sarovar Punarvasvat Agency (SSPA) with the objective of building up a sensitized infrastructure within SSPA, which solely and exclusively deals with grievance redressal after following due procedure, under the direct control, supervision and guidance of GRA. This extended limb of GRA is called Grievances Redressal Cell (GRC) and is headed by a Joint Commissioner belonging to the IAS Cadre who is also designated as its Director.
GRA holds regular meetings with the Joint Commissioner (GRC), where a review of the work done is undertaken and the methodology for redressal of grievances referred to or represented is discussed in detail. Grievances redressal is undertaken in the following ways:-
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Grievance redressal in the regular course on the basis of applications i.e. by holding inquiry and implementing the decisions taken pursuant thereto.
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Grievance redressal through Redressal Review Meetings. Ahout 95% of the total grievances that have been presented to the GRC have been suitably redressed. These grievances range from civic amenities related grievances to grievances regarding declaration of PAF status.
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With the establishment of the R&R Sub-group and constitution of the Grievances Redressal Authorities by the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhy Pradesh, there is a system in force, which will ensure satisfactory re-settlement and rehabilitation of the oustees. [Supreme Court of India WP (C)319/94, para 1 73] |
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Resettlement and Rehabilitation activities
Various Cells have been created within the SSPA to ensure timely and effective R&R of the Project Affected Families in Gujarat. Some of such cells created are listed below
Land Cel
To ensure that the agricultural lands allotted to PAFs are of good quality, either black
medium black or sandy loam and are suitable for agricultural purposes, SSPA has set up a Land Cell under which a Land Bank is established. The Land Cell under the Joint Commissioner (Planning), SSPA processes the offers of cultivable agricultural lands received from farmers.
"Despite the geographical spread of new sites across districts, SSPA has tried its best to provide social amenities and services in these new sites. " (CSS independent report, pg. 22, para 2) |
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The assistance of the District Collectors of 7 districts is taken for preparing the land purchase proposals and negotiating the purchase price. In the concerned districts, District Land Purchase Committees have been set up to scrutinize the proposals. The District Collectors physically inspect the land in 10% cases and verify the records in 30% cases.
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To ensure that only cultivable land is purchased, soil samples are taken from each plot of land to be purchased are checked by Gujarat Agricultural University. Cross checking of the quality of the land is done by the Dy. Director, Agriculture SSPA and his team of agriculture officers, working in the Agricultural Cell, SSPA. After due verification of soil quality by various agencies, proposal of land purchase is sent to Expert Committee headed by retired Judge of High Co urt. 100 % payment is made only after land is fully acquired and SSPA's name is entered in the revenue records. The PAFs have been resettled in 236 resettlement sites in 7 districts.
Provision of civic amenities
In keeping with the Award and the liberalized R&R policy of the Gujarat government, various civic amenities are provided at the resettlement sites. These amenities include primary schools, approach roads and dispensaries among others. This has helped ensure a smooth transit of PAFs from their submergence villages and also helped raise their socio-economic conditions.
Agricultural cell
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"Having regard to the inherently good quality of land allotted to the PAFs and going by the experience of grievances redressal during the past six months, these problems / deficiencies are capable of being resolved within a reasonable time with appropriate remedial measures. PAFs will have to be enlightened and trained to adopt suitable farm management practices recommended in the reports of the experts in order to enhance agricultural productivity of the land allotted to them. " (GRA, 15.11.99. Dara 6. 1.4 ) |
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The Gujarat government is keen to ensure that not only are the PAFs allotted fertile and productive land as per their entitlement, but that they gain the full potential benefit of latest scientific inputs provided by agriculture cell. On the directions of the GRA an Agricultural Cell has been set up in SSPA, winch is headed by a Deputy Director of Agriculture. |
A report on the resettlement and rehabilitation prgoramme in gujarat
