(a) whether the ONGC compensate the farmers for acquiring their lands;
(b) if so, the norms fixed therefor;
(c) whether the Government has received complaints regarding irregularities in providing compensations; and
(d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise and the action taken thereon?
MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATRUAL GAS AND PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)
(a) to (d) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 678 BY SHRI V. K. THUMMAR and SHRI JIVABHAI AMBALAL PATEL TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12TH MAY 2005 REGARDING COMPENSATION ON ACQUIRING LAND BY ONGC
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. ONGC acquires land on outright purchase or rental basis, as required, for carrying out its exploration and production activities. The land acquired on a temporary basis is restored to normal condition and returned to the farmer after the exploration work is over and the area/site is no longer required. However, once the hydrocarbon potential is established, the land is acquired on a permanent basis. The amount of compensation is decided in accordance with the rates fixed by the Revenue Authorities of the State Governments concerned. Normally, payments of compensation are made within three months of acquisition through the State Authorities to the land owner.
(c) & (d): As may be seen from the table annexed, a few representations have been received regarding acquisition of land by ONGC in the States of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Maharashtra. These primarily relate to matters such as restoration of land to normal condition, and its return to land owners in the State of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, once the purpose is over; payment of compensation at enhanced rates in Tamil Nadu; provision of jobs and civic amenities to Project Affected Persons in the States of Assam and Maharashtra. Whenever such representations/complaints are received, they are referred to ONGC for immediate redressal of grievances. The process of resolution of such complaints is a continuous one. A number of steps have been taken by ONGC for timely disbursement of compensation and redressal of such grievances. These, include:-
(i) Early survey of damages and preparation of Panchnama ;
(ii) Involving Revenue Officers of the State Government concerned and in the absence of that formation of house committees for assessment ;
(iii) Hearing of grievances for redressal by identified and nominated officers of ONGC
Annexure
Statement indicating receipt of State-wise complaint regarding compensation payment by ONGC during last one year.
State Received from Date of Contents of Complaint Receipt
1. Maharashtra Reports in Lokmat newspaper on 9.4.2005 12.4.2005 For provision of civic amenities for Project Affected Persons at Uran.
2. Assam Sh. Santosh Mohan Dev, Minister of HI & DPE 12.08.2004 Jobs for Project Affected Persons against acquisition of land
3. Assam Sh. A. F. Golam Osmani, M.P 23.3.2005 Jobs for Project Affected Persons against acquisition of land
4. Assam Sh. Digvijay Singh, General Secretary, AICC 4.1.2005 Jobs for Project Affected Persons against acquisition of land
5. Tamil Nadu ONGC Land Donors’ Association, 29.12.2004 Payment of Lease Compensation Rate Thattangudy, Nemmeli Village, at market rate and restoration of Mailaduthurai, Nagapattinam. site in original condition to farmers from whom the land was acquired.
6. Gujarat Sh.Jivabhai Ambalal Patel, M.P 3.5.2005 Referring to Unstarred Question No. 2344 of Lok Sabha for 17.3.2005, Hon’ble M.P has made suggestion for return of land acquired by ONGC on permanent basis to the same farmers (from whom the land was acquired by ONGC) after the purpose is over.