New Delhi: Tribal and Dalit families affected by the Pollavaram project would be compensated in terms by rehabilitating to urban areas, said Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Jal Shakti during question hour in Rajya Sabha. Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar, MP raised questions on the rehabilitation of tribal community people and how various deficiencies including lack of electricity, water, non-laying of pucca roads are addressed. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Jal Shakti said a Central committee has been established under the central govt's tribal affairs secretary. It comes under Social Justice Ministry also and the grievances are being addressed by that committee.
More than 2 lakh people have been affected by the project and the MP asked if any team from the Centre is sent to check if rehabilitation and resettlement are implemented. Gajendra answered that it has been planned to construct community hall, stores, post officers, fertilisers, dumping yards and all other amenities. Compensation would be given as per the Land Acquisition Act and they would be rehabilitated to urban areas to equal proportion of land.10 lakh would be given to tribal families, he said.
Prasanna Acharya, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP from Odisha raised the question of SC/ST land of people in Odisha being submerged under the project. He asked about the special package for rehabilitation and resettlement of affected people due to the project and whether any grama sabha was convened as per Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) PESA Act. Gajendra replied that Odisha, Chattisgarh, Telangana governments have approached the Supreme Court regarding the matter. The estimates of flood, studies of environmental clearances have been challenged and it is not good to mention here, said the Minister.
Another question also came up regarding the shifting of project authority from Hyderabad to the Delhi as it has been elevated as a national project. Gajendra replied that shifting of the project is under consideration and there is the need to go and examine the site.
Meanwhile, Opposition parties created ruckus, continued sloganeering. Opposition parties have been pressing on Pegasus row, farm laws, Covid crisis since the commencement of the Monsoon Session.
