Development-Induced Displacement and Policy Measures: A Case Study of Lower Suktel Irrigation Project of Balangir in Odisha

Abstract

The study has attempted to examine the status of the displaced families of Lower Suktel Irrigation Project (LSIP), Balangir, in the Odisha State. The field survey was carried out to find out the implementation of Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement policy measures and their impact on the social-economic life of the displaced persons in LSIP and to scrutinise the issues which the displaced families are confronting due to the projects. The direct interview and focus group discussion was the method of primary data collection from 100 respondents in affected villages of the project. It was found that70 percent of respondents are dissatisfactory due to loss of sustainability livelihood, loss of forest, land and water, 70 percent respondent spent their compensation money in chit fund due to lack of awareness to investment in proper ways; they are depriving the facilities of all governmental programmes in their village for 14 years because they have received compensation amount. In addition to that, no civil society and government agency is working for awareness of their right and policy information with related to rehabilitation and resettlement measure. The results revealed that from the year of 2000 to 2018, the displaced families of the project have received the compensation and rehabilitation package without full-fledged process and having no alternative future subsistence, they are living as a crisis life without displacement.