Rajya Sabha
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is concerned with clearance of ‘Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) Plans for Scheduled Tribe Project Affected Families (STPAFs)’ of the irrigation projects displacing people. The ministry has set norms for the purpose of examination of such R&R Plans. For getting clearance, the concerned State Government/project authority is required to submit complete information in accordance with provisions of National Policy on Resettlement and Rehabilitaiton (NPRR) 2003 and also where the displacement relates to Scheduled Areas, the details of prior consultation with Affected gram sabhas according to the provisions of the Panchayats Act, 1996. As soon as the complete information is received, the proposals are processed by the Ministry for clearance. This was stated by the Minister of Tribals, Shri P.R. Kyndiah in a reply to a question by S/Shri c. Ramachandraiah and Nandi Yellaiah in Rajya Sabha today.
He further stated that the Ministry has received a proposal from the government of Andhra Pradesh for clearance of R&R Plan for ST PAFs in respect of Indira Sagar Project (Polavaram Project). The project involves inter-State issues with the State of Orissa and Chhattisgarh and displacement of about one lakh tribals from their homelands in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Chhattisgarh. It therefore requires careful examination on merits. Further, the State Government of Andhra Pradesh is required to submit information through the Central Water Commission on technical aspects related to submergence of lands, especially in the States of Orissa and Chhattisgarh. Details of resolution of gram sabhas specially of the villages coming under submergence in Orissa and Chhattisgarh are also required. As the information received is incomplete, grant of clearance to the R&R Plan for ST PAFs has not been considered Shri Kyndiah added.
NCJ/DT
(Release ID :25780)