Sardar Sarovar project: review of resettlement and rehabilitation in Maharashtra
Anonymous
Economic and Political Weekly 28(34): 1705-1714
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-9976 Document Number: 381788
This report summarizes the findings of six years of work, completed by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, in its capacity as the monitoring and evaluation (M and E) agency for the Maharashtra submergence villages of the Sardar Sarovar Project. The report presents the team's perspectives on the rehabilitation of the displaced, based on analysis of their own data. The Sardar Sarovar Dam is expected to impound water to the full reservoir level, submerging 37 000 ha of land in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, while the canal and irrigation systems submerge 85 000 ha and displace 152 000 people. Other statistics are given to illustrate the magnitude of dislocation. Although the project has undergone many financial and economic cost benefit exercises, giving positive ratios, inadequate consideration has been given to social and environmental costs. The Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal Award of 1978 gave its report on resettlement and rehabilitation. it was noted as a breakthrough in rehabilitation, as it made provisions beyond those of earlier projects where only cash compensation had been provided. The compensation package is outlined. A further more comprehensive package was suggested. The extent to which the governments are able to meet the terms and conditions elaborated in the award, as per resettlement and rehabilitation related World Bank benchmarks are examined. The tribal situation is described and problems discussed. In conclusion, it is suggested that, given the resources available and the approach adopted, the implementation of the award is far from satisfactory.