Question : ACQUISITION OF TRIBAL LAND

(a) whether the State Governments are acquiring the land of local scheduled tribes especially in plateaus and hilly areas for construction of dams for water reservoirs and consequently local population has to be rehabilitated;

(b) if so, whether the Government is aware that the land of certain rehabilitated scheduled tribe is again acquired after initial rehabilitation;

(c) if so, whether the Government is taking concrete steps for ensuring livelihood of the said tribes and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government is aware that local population was time and again displaced/rehabilitated for construction of Badua dam in district Banka in Bihar and they are facing serious problem of their livelihood and if so, the action taken by the Government thereon?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION; PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND TEXTILES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE). (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) For construction of dams, land is acquired by the concerned State Government which may include scheduled tribe population, depending upon project requirement.

(b) & (c) Information about land of rehabilitated scheduled tribe being acquired again is not available in Central Water Commission (CWC). The acquisition of land and rehabilitation of displaced persons is done by the State Government as per prevalent norms.

(d) Government of Bihar has informed that no such matter arose before the concerned authorities.