Rahul Gandhi flags Ken-Betwa tribal displacement; complaints forwarded to MP govt

NEW DELHI: The Union ministry of tribal affairs on Thursday told the Lok Sabha that it has received several representations raising concerns over the displacement of people due to the Ken-Betwa river-link project in Madhya Pradesh. The ministry said it has forwarded the representations to the state government and the concerned district administrations for examination and appropriate action.In a written reply to questions from Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party MP Ajendra Singh Lodhi on the rehabilitation of tribal families affected by the project, compliance with the Forest Rights Act (FRA), and alleged evictions, the ministry said it had not received any complaints specifically claiming that compensation disbursed under the project had failed to reach beneficiaries.The ministry, however, said it had received representations "raising issues of displacement" due to the project. It added that the representations had been forwarded to the Madhya Pradesh government and the concerned district administrations for examination and appropriate action, while noting that the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) rests with state governments and Union Territory administrations.Minister of state for tribal affairs Durgadas Uikey, in his written reply, said the representations had been referred to the state authorities. "These have been forwarded to the State Government of Madhya Pradesh and respective District Administrations for examination and necessary action," the reply said.In its response, the ministry said the rehabilitation plan for Scheduled Tribe families affected by the Ken-Betwa river-link project was based on a proposal submitted by the National Water Development Agency in 2016.Citing the 2016 proposal, the ministry said the project's first phase is expected to displace 1,913 families comprising 8,339 people, including 648 Scheduled Tribe families.Responding to questions on gram sabha meetings under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), the ministry said it does not maintain centralised records of meeting dates, attendance, signatures, grievances related to consent, compensation and displacement, or the status of their disposal, as implementation of the law falls under the jurisdiction of state governments and Union Territory administrations.The ministry added that it has repeatedly urged states and UTs to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is denied forest rights and to strictly comply with Section 4(5) of the FRA, which prohibits the eviction or removal of claimants from forest land under their occupation until the process of recognition and verification of their rights has been completed.The Centre's response comes amid a prolonged protest by tribal families and other residents affected by the Ken-Betwa river-link project in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district over issues related to displacement, rehabilitation and resettlement.As part of the agitation, protesters staged a series of symbolic demonstrations in July, including a "jal satyagraha", "chita (pyre) satyagraha" and "faansi satyagraha".The protest also included an indefinite hunger strike by activist Amit Bhatnagar, who was later forcibly removed from the site by state police. Nearly 150 villagers were also removed during the operation, visuals of which drew nationwide attention.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.