Major relief for the landless poor

Hyderabad Feb 15 : The State government on Tuesday issued an order extending the benefits of the Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) package to the families (other than land owners) such as agricultural labourers, artisans and people from SC, ST and BC communities working as labourers affected by acquisition of land under GO MS No 123 of July 30, 2015.

The GO was in compliance with the interim orders passed on January 5, 2017 by the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad stating that the executive power of the State government under Article 298 of the Constitution could be applied for voluntary purchase of land from the willing land owners.

The High Court further held that the State government shall not enter into contract under GO MS No 123 to purchase lands for irrigation projects without complying with the rehabilitation and resettlement measures under the second and third schedules of the Central Act 30 of 2013.

The order provides Rs 5.04 lakh (equivalent to a house as per the two-bed room housing policy of the State government) in case of displacement of a family. In case of single family member without spouse, the entitlement of the displaced will be only Rs 1.25 lakh (equivalent to the cost of Indira Awas Yojana unit)

Besides this, the government decided to make an one-time payment of Rs 5 lakh for the affected family or Rs 3,000 per month as annuity in case of SC and ST for a period of 20 years.

The orders offers Rs 2,500 per month as annuity for a period of 20 years to the artisans and agricultural labourers (other than SCs and STs). A total of Rs 40,000 will be paid per family as a subsistence grant for one year. A one-time grant of Rs 60,000 will be paid per family belonging to SCs and STs in the scheduled areas. A one-time transport grant of Rs 60,000 will also be paid to each affected family if re-location is required due to displacement.

The government came out with an offer of Rs 30,000 as a one-time grant to be paid to artisans and all those involved in traditional occupations. Other self-employed persons will also be entitled for the grant. Under provision of one time resettlement assistance, the government had offered Rs 60,000 to each affected family.

In lieu of all other benefits, an option of a lump sum financial assistance of Rs 7.5 lakh will be given to a family living together with all its members and deciding to set up a self-financed scheme or an enterprise based on their own choice. If the irrigation projects taken up in the land acquired from farmers help create storage tanks, the displaced will be extended fishing rights as well. In case of projects that may create jobs in future, the guidelines laid down as part of the State Industrial Policy, 2014, which emphasises local job creation, will apply.

If a house is lost in rural areas, a constructed house shall be provided as per the IAY specifications. If a house is lost in urban areas, a constructed house shall be provided, which will be not less than 50 sq mts in plinth area. The benefits listed above shall also be extended to any affected family which is without homestead land and which has been residing in the area continuously for a period of not less than three years preceding the date of notification of the affected area and which has been involuntarily displaced from such area.

The government will ensure that the affected families are provided with the option of employment if jobs are created through the project after providing suitable training and skill development in the required field. Otherwise, the family concerned will be eligible for one-time payment of Rs 5 lakh or annuity policies that shall pay not less than Rs 2,000 per month for 20 years