The industrial and urban development projects such as power plant, oil refineries, fertilizers, chemical industries, river valley projects, dams, reservoirs and mining etc. are the major causes for displacement of people from their well established living places.
For this purpose, the govt, has introduced the land Acquisition Act, 1894, which empowers it to serve notice to the people to vacate their lands if required for the govt, planning. Provision of cash compensation in lieu of the land vacated exists in section 16 of the act.
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The United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Right (Article 25 (I)) has declared that right to housing is a basic human right. The involuntary movement of the residents from one place to another for resettlement gives rise to a variety of problems which may be social, economical and of other types. They are as follows:
Social Problems
1. Disturbances in the social structure
2. Breakage of community structures.
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3. Dispersal of kith and kins
4. Weakening of traditions.
5. Loss of cultural identity.
6. Inter-relationship and potential for mutual fraternity is diminished.
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Economical Problems
(1) Income sources are shattered and ruined.
(2) Families face long-term hardships.
(3) Search of new jobs requires time.
Educational, Psychological and Environmental
a. Education of children gets interrupted.
b. Joint families are separated which affects different members of the family, differently.
c. Resettlement in the newer environment affects the mental and physical skill of the individual.
d. People face greater problems of availing recourses due to competition in the relocated environment.
Rehabilitation Policy: Objectives and Planning
There is a ministry of rehabilitation and resettlement (R and R) in Government of India and state Government to resolve the gravity of the fact of rehabilitation, in case of involuntary displacement. Their losses are compensated by the Ministry. This is ensured by the implementation of the following policies:
1. To provide adequate compensation.
2. To provide social infrastructure and community services.
3. To provide proper rehabilitation and facilities.
4. To help them providing a locality of their preference.
5. To settle them in a community, they are acquired to.
6. To help them improving their living standard.