While Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is moving fast to go ahead with Polavaram project and fixed three key milestones for the next two months, he is yet to focus on rehabilitation of displaced persons. It may be recalled that earlier Supreme Court has specified that no work should be done without settling displaced persons claims.
Now, Naidu has decided to invite union minister Uma Bharti to lay foundation stone for concrete works on December 19. He has also decided to start diaphragm wall works in the 1st week of January and to start fabricating gates at dam site during the 2nd week January.
However, still land acquisition work is not completed for rehabilitation of displaced persons. It was completed for main project works only. As per new R&R provisions the compensation compound would cause heavy burden to the government, for which Rs 2,981 crore sanctioned by Nabard may not be sufficient.
Moreover, these funds are to be spent on project works, but not for rehabilitation. Besides, government has to mobilise additional funds for construction of 960 MW power house.
Though the project was declared as a national project and center promise to bare all expenses, it has committed only for the total expenditure of the project after April, 2014.Till now, Rs 5810 crore need to be paid for the project. After receiving details of expenditure, center given clearance for Rs 2981 crore of Nabard funds only.
Government sources says the center commitment is only for the construction of irrigation project. That too as per revised estimations by the end of this financial year. The state government urged the center to release funds on the basis of April, 2014 prices, and taking revised estimations into consideration.
Most of the proposals for land acquisitions are yet to be realised at ground level. For example, not a single inch of land was vacated by displaced persons since last ten y ears for the land proposed for power house. Government has acquired only over Rs 3,200 acres for about 16,000 acres needed for rehabilitation of displaced persons.
