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Displaced People of Lower Indra Irrigation Project await Rehabilitation

Reported by

Sandeep Pattnaik

Legal Review by

Edited by

Updated by

Published on

March 15, 2017

May 17, 2022

Edited on

March 15, 2017

State

Odisha

Sector

Infrastructure

People Affected by Conflict

6181

Households Affected by Conflict

Land Area Affected (in Hectares)

1930

ha

Starting Year

2000

Location of Conflict

Khariar

Nuapada

Reason or Cause of Conflict

Irrigation Dam

Land Conflict Summary

Lower Indra Irrigation Project is a major irrigation project constructed across river Indra, a tributary of the River Tel in the Mahanadi basin. The dam is located near village Dargoan in Khariar block of Nuapada district in Odisha. The project will submerge 6288 ha of land ( cultivable 5.245 ha , forest land 1.043 ha ). The project was started in the year 2000 and is yet to be operational. The locals allege that the Lower Indra Irrigation Project (LIIP) Authority has failed to suitably rehabilitate people displaced by the dam. The affected families which are now around 9000 (the number was 1,460 at the beginning) have been demanding rehabilitation. The administration has closed all the health and nutrition services in the project affected villages in 2009, claiming that the villages have been fully evacuated. The frontline health and nutrition service providers like ASHA, AWW and ANM have also been removed. As a result, thousands of displaced people are now languishing in poverty. The Lower Indra Jan Sachatena Manch, which is the frontline organisation of the project affected persons (PAP), went on a strike in April 2016 and submitted a memorandum to authorities demanding rehabilitation. The demands are also related to policy matters like implementation of the Odisha Rehabilitation Policy, 2006, enhancement of the value of the lands acquired, consideration of women of 18 years and older as displaced persons etc. On March 10th 2021, it was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik. According to a report by the Orissa Post on 6th March, 2021, while preparations were in full swing for the commission of the dam, issues pertaining to rehabilitation, damages incurred and compensation owed to project affected people were yet to be resolved. The oustees demanded a compensation of 2 lakhs before the inauguration of the project and settlement of basic facilities at the relocated villages and warned of agitation if the demands were not met.

Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for compensation

Demand for rehabilitation

Demand for promised compensation

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Both

Type of Common Land

Forest and Non-Forest

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

1624

Type of investment:

Revised Investment

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Legal Data

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Land Acquisition Laws, Central/State Government Policy, Forest and Scheduled Area Governance Laws

Legislations/Policies Involved

Land Acquisition Act, 1894
Section 11A [Collector to make the award within a period of two years from the date of publication of the declaration, else entire Acquisition proceedings shall lapse]; Section 16 [Possession may be taken after award has been made by the collector]
Odisha Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy, 2006
Para 4 (b)(1) [Objective of policy to recognise the voice of the displaced with emphasis on the needs of the indigenous communities]; Para 8 [Rehabilitation and Resettlement plan to be prepared with due consultation with the displaced communities and other factors to be taken into consideration for it]
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
Section 4 [This provision recognises and vests forest rights in forest dwelling scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers and other rights such as that of rehabilitation and resettlement in case of displacement]
Andhra Pradesh State Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2005
Para 2 [Objective of the policy to minimise displacement, ensure adequate rehabilitation package]; Para 2 [Objective of the policy to minimise displacement, ensure adequate rehabilitation package]
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Section 108 (1) [Option to affected families to avail better compensation and rehabilitation and resettlement where a State law or a policy framed by the Government of a State provides for a higher compensation]; Section 105(3) [Determination of compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement as per schedules]; Section 24 [Exception for the application of the provisions of the 2013 act when there is a lapse of proceedings wrt land acquired under the 1894 Act, due non payment of award or non taking of possession before January, 2014]; Section 32 [Collector to provide all infrastructural facilities and basic amenities in the resettlement areas]; Section 38 [Power of collector to take possession of acquired land after full payment of compensation within 3 months, and completion of resettlement and rehabilitation six months prior to submergence of the lands acquired]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

Yes

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

The claims were made to the R&R project director for payment of compensation of the project and settlement of basic facilities at the relocated villages as per the  Odisha Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy, 2006.

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Non-rehabilitation of displaced people

Controversial land acquisition by the government

Delay in compensation

Legal Status:

In Court

Status of Case In Court

Disposed

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

Orissa High Court

Case Number

W.P.(C) No.27310 OF 2020

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

Displacement

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Date of Violation

Location of Violation

Additional Information

Nature of Protest

Protests/marches

Advocacy (for inclusion in courts)

Strikes

Complaints/petitions/letters/memorandums to officials

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Government of Odisha

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Lower Indra Jan Sachatena Manch

Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Resources

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Images

Image Credit:  

Image Credit:  

Video

Lower Indra Irrigation Project is a major irrigation project constructed across river Indra, a tributary of the River Tel in the Mahanadi basin. The dam is located near village Dargoan in Khariar block of Nuapada district in Odisha. The project will submerge 6288 ha of land ( cultivable 5.245 ha , forest land 1.043 ha ). The project was started in the year 2000 and is yet to be operational. The locals allege that the Lower Indra Irrigation Project (LIIP) Authority has failed to suitably rehabilitate people displaced by the dam. The affected families which are now around 9000 (the number was 1,460 at the beginning) have been demanding rehabilitation. The administration has closed all the health and nutrition services in the project affected villages in 2009, claiming that the villages have been fully evacuated. The frontline health and nutrition service providers like ASHA, AWW and ANM have also been removed. As a result, thousands of displaced people are now languishing in poverty. The Lower Indra Jan Sachatena Manch, which is the frontline organisation of the project affected persons (PAP), went on a strike in April 2016 and submitted a memorandum to authorities demanding rehabilitation. The demands are also related to policy matters like implementation of the Odisha Rehabilitation Policy, 2006, enhancement of the value of the lands acquired, consideration of women of 18 years and older as displaced persons etc. On March 10th 2021, it was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik. According to a report by the Orissa Post on 6th March, 2021, while preparations were in full swing for the commission of the dam, issues pertaining to rehabilitation, damages incurred and compensation owed to project affected people were yet to be resolved. The oustees demanded a compensation of 2 lakhs before the inauguration of the project and settlement of basic facilities at the relocated villages and warned of agitation if the demands were not met.

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for compensation

Demand for rehabilitation

Demand for promised compensation

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Both

Type of Common Land

Forest and Non-Forest

Total investment involved (in Crores):

1624

Type of investment:

Revised Investment

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Land Acquisition Laws, Central/State Government Policy, Forest and Scheduled Area Governance Laws

Legislations/Policies Involved

Land Acquisition Act, 1894
Section 11A [Collector to make the award within a period of two years from the date of publication of the declaration, else entire Acquisition proceedings shall lapse]; Section 16 [Possession may be taken after award has been made by the collector]
Odisha Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy, 2006
Para 4 (b)(1) [Objective of policy to recognise the voice of the displaced with emphasis on the needs of the indigenous communities]; Para 8 [Rehabilitation and Resettlement plan to be prepared with due consultation with the displaced communities and other factors to be taken into consideration for it]
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
Section 4 [This provision recognises and vests forest rights in forest dwelling scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers and other rights such as that of rehabilitation and resettlement in case of displacement]
Andhra Pradesh State Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2005
Para 2 [Objective of the policy to minimise displacement, ensure adequate rehabilitation package]; Para 2 [Objective of the policy to minimise displacement, ensure adequate rehabilitation package]
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Section 108 (1) [Option to affected families to avail better compensation and rehabilitation and resettlement where a State law or a policy framed by the Government of a State provides for a higher compensation]; Section 105(3) [Determination of compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement as per schedules]; Section 24 [Exception for the application of the provisions of the 2013 act when there is a lapse of proceedings wrt land acquired under the 1894 Act, due non payment of award or non taking of possession before January, 2014]; Section 32 [Collector to provide all infrastructural facilities and basic amenities in the resettlement areas]; Section 38 [Power of collector to take possession of acquired land after full payment of compensation within 3 months, and completion of resettlement and rehabilitation six months prior to submergence of the lands acquired]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

Yes

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

The claims were made to the R&R project director for payment of compensation of the project and settlement of basic facilities at the relocated villages as per the  Odisha Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy, 2006.

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Non-rehabilitation of displaced people

Controversial land acquisition by the government

Delay in compensation

Legal Status:

In Court

Status of Case In Court

Disposed

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

Orissa High Court

Case Number

W.P.(C) No.27310 OF 2020

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

Displacement

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Date of Violation

Location of Violation

Nature of Protest

Protests/marches

Advocacy (for inclusion in courts)

Strikes

Complaints/petitions/letters/memorandums to officials

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Government of Odisha

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Lower Indra Jan Sachatena Manch

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Image Credit:  

Image Credit:  

Documented By

Text Link

Reviewed By

Text Link

Updated By

Text Link

Edited By

Text LinkLand Conflict Watch

Other Land Conflicts in Odisha

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