The Jharkhand government has set up a high-level committee to investigate the land acquisition process for Adani Power Limited’s 1,600 MW thermal power project in Godda district of the state.
The decision was taken after Godda MLA Pradeep Yadav raised the issue in the Assembly, questioning compensation, rehabilitation and employment status of affected villagers.
The committee will review matters related to land acquisition, rehabilitation, environment clearance and compensation before submitting its report to the government.
According to the notification, the panel will be chaired by the Chief Secretary of Jharkhand. Its members include the Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department, senior officials from the Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Water Resources, Rural Development, Food and Supply, and Revenue and Land Reforms departments, along with the Deputy Commissioner of Godda and the Director of the Energy Department.
Officials of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department will act as the member secretary in the panel.
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The land for the project was acquired in 2017–18 across Mohanpur and Podiyahat blocks of Godda. Local farmers and villagers had staged protests, demanding fair compensation, proper rehabilitation and employment opportunities. They alleged that the acquisition process was not transparent and had failed to address their livelihood concerns.
Raising the matter in the House, MLA Pradeep Yadav pressed for a review of the rehabilitation status of displaced families. Responding to his concerns, the state government acknowledged that under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013, a thorough review is mandatory.
The government said the newly formed committee will examine whether affected families received due compensation and rehabilitation and whether local employment was provided, and assess the broader socio-economic impact of the project.
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