Question : COMPENSATION BY OIL PSUS

(a) whether all the oil public sector undertakings (PSUs) have a uniform policy on the acquisition of land for the implementation of projects and providing compensation in lieu thereof;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation has withdrawn the policy of providing employment to the people who lose their land due to implementation of projects;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure implementation of a uniform policy in this regard?

MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS(SHRI MURLI DEORA)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 428 ASKED BY DR. MAHENDRASINH P. CHAUHAN AND SHRI MANSUKHBHAI D. VASAVA TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2010 REGARDING COMPENSATION BY OIL PSUs.

(a), (b) & (e): The compensation to the landowners for the land acquired for carrying out oil and gas projects (other than pipelines) is paid as per the provisions contained in the Land Acquisition Act 1894. As regards, pipelines projects for oil & gas sector, Right of User (ROU) in land is acquired under the Petroleum & Minerals Pipelines Act, 1962 (P&MP Act 1962). These Acts provide comprehensive legal framework under which land for the projects is acquired with adequate safeguards to the interests of land owners. The compensation payable to the land owners for acquiring ROU in land is determined as per provision of Section 10 of the P&MP Act 1962. The compensation amount such determined is deposited with the Competent Authority. The Competent Authority in turn pays the compensation to the persons entitled thereto as provided under Section 11(3) of the P&MP Act 1962.

(c) and (d): Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has withdrawn the policy of providing employment to people who lose their land due to implementation of projects in accordance with Office Memorandum No. 15/13/84-BPE(C) dated 03.02.1986 on Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation aspect issued by Department of Public Enterprises.