For development with a human face
DEVELOPMENT-INDUCED DISPLACEMENT — Case of Kerala: Jose Murickan, M. K. George, K. A. Emmanuel, Jose Boban, R. Prakash Pillai; Rawat Publications, Satyam Apartments, Sector 3, Jawahar Nagar, Jaipur-302004. Rs. 650.
PERSONS INVOLVED in struggles against development, particularly dams, have been pitted against the state and the judiciary in recent years. The Supreme Court judgement on the Sardar Sarovar Project in 2000 is an example. A few months later came the "Report of the World Commission on Dams" and the government refused to discuss it. Some put the tag of anti-development on those wanting to have a dialogue. Meanwhile, the process of displacement continues. It is even suggested that many more people will be deprived of their livelihood in the future in the name of liberalisation, than during the last five and half decades. Amid these unequivocal stands, the struggles against displacement are bringing in new issues to the fore.
The present study is an integral part of a national effort to deal with these issues. The Indian Social Institute, Delhi under the direction of Walter Fernandes, initiated a comprehensive nationwide study on all major issues covering development-induced displacement, resettlement and rehabilitation.
The Indian Social Institute, Bangalore entrusted with the task of implementing the project in the four Southern States, has brought out the Kerala study (first in the series) in partnership with the Loyola College of Social Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram.
The book under review, outcome of the above research programme carried out in three phases, is based on the detailed investigations of 15 projects spread across mines, defence, power, irrigation, industries, harbour, wildlife, tourism and airport ranked in order of the magnitude of displacement from the original list of 153 projects.
The extent and nature of displacement (planned and often forced) and deprival by development projects in the name of national development in the 11 districts of Kerala spanning 1951-95 are examined. The fact that the search for sustainable development results in the "feminisation of displacement" is vindicated by this study. In this context, it is noteworthy to mention that though Kerala is a progressive and developed State, yet the evidence from the study clearly indicates that it has resettled the displaced persons of only a handful of projects.
The calculation of compensation on the market value of the land taken over rather than on its replacement value has only added to the enormous burden of the displaced family. Compared to other States, compensation is relatively high in Kerala, yet it cannot be a substitute for rehabilitation because the law limits it to "patta" land. The victims of big projects, even in Kerala, are the tribals and the Dalits. At the national level, that around 80 per cent of the people belong to the powerless classes may explain why after depriving millions of people of their livelihood, India does not have a rehabilitation policy even 50 years after it was declared a Republic. Till the 1950's rehabilitation was built into the proposal. Further, except Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, which have enacted laws on rehabilitation, none of the other States have any such law.
Even the legislation passed by the State Governments, as mentioned earlier, has been ad hoc in nature and marginalises the weaker sections of the society. The apathy regarding rehabilitation and the absence of a clear-cut policy can be considered an integral part of this contradiction.
Most of the problems connected with displacement, resettlement and rehabilitation can be traced to the "Unbalanced growth strategy," currently being followed, which does not sufficiently take into account the enormous suffering of the poor.
On the other hand, the focus is on economic viability and technical feasibility of the project. The absence of a strong social policy and a determined political will has furthered heightened the prevailing problem. Needless to say, all these reflect the frame of mind of the policy-makers and politicians. Liberalisation has further intensified the process of sacrificing people, the poor in particular, especially the women among them, to the profit of the entrepreneur.
The methodology adopted was a combination of conventional research (for systematic data collection and analysis), participatory research (for conscientising social activists and through them the affected people) and action research for mobilisation, for which the authors deserve the fullest appreciation.
A critical study of the book throws light on the problems involved in development-induced displacement, resettlement and rehabilitation and in the light of the proposed inter-linking of rivers in India, this book should provide solutions to the various issues, thereby ensuring "development with a human face in a humane manner."
This study should enable the State Governments, politicians, policy-makers, decision-makers and administrators to formulate a practical, realistic and holistic policy, minimise displacement and provide necessary facilities for those displaced and for the betterment of the society. The authors deserve praise for bringing out this book.
SRIDHAR SEETHARAMAN
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