Upper Kolab Dam Displaced Families Demand Proper Rehabilitation in Koraput

Reported by

Sandeep Pattnaik

Legal Data by

Edited by

Updated by

Published on

August 13, 2017

August 13, 2017

Updated on

August 13, 2017

Location of Conflict

Jeypore

Khilaput, Koraput, Khaparaput and Kelchagaon

Koraput

Reason or Cause of Conflict

Multipurpose Dam

(

)

People Affected by Conflict

14400

Households Affected by Conflict

Land Area Affected (in Hectares)

0

ha

Starting Year

1976

State

Odisha

Sector

Infrastructure
Summary
Fact Sheet
Legal Data
Additional
Information
Resources
Images
Videos

Villagers displaced by the Upper Kolab Dam Project in Koraput district of Odisha are demanding better compensation and rehabilitation. The multipurpose project had displaced over 3,000 families when it was constructed four decades ago and the villagers allege they have not been provided with adequate compensation and proper rehabilitation. On February 27, 2018, a public hearing was held where activists demanded proper compensation for the displaced families. The multipurpose dam was built over the River Kolab in Koraput district of Odisha for hydroelectricity and irrigation in the year 1976. It has two main canals; the right one has a command area of 46,049 hectares of agricultural land and the left, 1,936 hectares. It has been reported that over 3,000 families from 57 villages were displaced by this project. About 52 per cent of the affected people are Paraja tribals and 17 percent are Dalits, according to a study by the South Orissa Voluntary Action (SOVA), an NGO in Koraput. Around 100 displaced families were moved to rehabilitation camps and were promised agricultural land, water channelized through the Kolab Dam and community forests. However, the land provided is 1km far from their settlement, the water canal from Kolab Dam is 2km away, in the opposite direction from the agricultural land and no community forests have been provided. After 40 years, the people displaced by the dam are fighting for their right to live with dignity. According to reports, the displaced people have made repeated demands to the President and other authorities for redressal of their grievances under the banner of Upper Kolab Bistapita Sangha (The Upper Kolab Displaced Persons Association). In May 2021, LCW contacted the Executive Engineer of the Upper Kolab Dam Project who said that a petition was sent to the office of the Executive Engineer in April, 2021. In the petition a demand for compensation was filed by the petitioner's. However, according to the Executive Engineer, the office was unable to trace the details of the petitioner's due to lack of supporting documents.

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for compensation

Demand for rehabilitation

Demand for more compensation than promised

Demand for better access to common land/resources

Complaint against procedural violations

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Urban and Rural

Type of Land

Both

Type of Common Land

Forest and Non-Forest

Total investment involved (in Crores):

₹

74.63

Type of investment:

Cost of Project

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

Legislations/Policies Involved

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]
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 41 [Special provisions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Scheduled Areas and prior consent of Gram Sabha or Panchayat or Autonomous District Councils]
Andhra Pradesh State Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2005
Para 2 [Objective of the policy to minimise displacement, ensure adequate rehabilitation package, an protect the interest of the weaker sections especially Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes]; Para 7 [This provision enlists the rehabilitation benefits for affected families]; Para 7.21 [Rehabilitation benefits for members belonging to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe]; Para 7.22 [This provision enlists the amenities and facilities at resettlement areas to be provided to affected persons, including safe drinking water]
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]
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]
Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996
Section 4(i) [Gram Sabha or panchayat to be consulted before resettlement and rehabilitation]

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

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

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Non-rehabilitation of displaced people

Non-payment of compensation/promised compensation

Delay in compensation

Non-implementation/violation of LARR Act

Legal Status:

Out of Court

Status of Case In Court

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

Case Number

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

Advocacy (for inclusion in courts)

Complaints/petitions/letters/memorandums to officials

Campaigns (grassroots organisations/press releases/media)

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

The Government of Odisha

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Executive Engineer, Upper Kolab Dam - "I received a petition from the collector last month, regarding compensation. But the people need to submit some documentation, any documentation, otherwise the office will not be able to trace the details of the petitioner's. The departments who were in charge of land acquisition and such, have been removed after the completion of the project so it is difficult to get the exact records now. Also, the people have already been rehabilitated as per official records in several hamlets. Now they are demanding compensation as the price of land has gone up. This is a problem with a lot of the projects, not just this one but almost every project initiated in the 1970's and 80's.

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Executive Engineer, Upper Kolab Dam - "I received a petition from the collector last month, regarding compensation. But the people need to submit some documentation, any documentation, otherwise the office will not be able to trace the details of the petitioner's. The departments who were in charge of land acquisition and such, have been removed after the completion of the project so it is difficult to get the exact records now. Also, the people have already been rehabilitated as per official records in several hamlets. Now they are demanding compensation as the price of land has gone up. This is a problem with a lot of the projects, not just this one but almost every project initiated in the 1970's and 80's.

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Resources Related to Conflict

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

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