Resettlement and rehabilitation in Orissa: A study of the upper Indravati hydro-electric project

Displacement of the people from their habitation, in order to acquire land for development projects, is a major cause of concern today. The displaced persons face several difficulties in adjusting their lives to a completely new environment. Rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced persons requires special plans and emphasis on the part of the government so as to completely equip them with the opportunities they were enjoying and to eliminate the trauma of displacement. The paper deals with the rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced persons due to a Hydro-Electric Project in Orissa. It makes a comparative analysis of the pre and post-displacement period and reflects the problems associated with displacement. In the conclusion part of the paper, some suggestions have been drawn from an empirical survey, which would make the life of the displaced people better. The paper also deals with some of the negligence on the part of the government authorities and which requires immediate action. Though infrastructure development is a necessity, it has to be implemented with a humane touch so that the effect of displacement is minimised.