Overview:– The Odisha government recently approved a bill exempting select projects from mandatory Social Impact Assessments (SIAs) and provisions safeguarding food security during land acquisition.
Legislation Background:
- The amendment is aligned with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, aiming to facilitate land transfer for critical national security, defence, and infrastructure projects. It covers diverse sectors like education, health, government infrastructure, electrification, irrigation, housing, and water projects.
- Odisha seeks to leverage this amendment to attract private investments for large-scale projects, promoting initiatives like Make-in-Odisha.
Similar Measures in Other States:
- Odisha joins other states like Gujarat (2016), Maharashtra (2018), and Karnataka (2019) in exempting certain developmental projects from mandatory SIAs and public hearings.
Concerns and Reactions:
- Expert and activist concerns have escalated, particularly due to the state’s crackdown on dissent against land acquisition. SIAs play a crucial role in assessing potential negative social repercussions during project execution.
Social Impact Assessment (SIA):
- SIA is a structured process evaluating both positive and negative impacts of projects or investments on communities or specific groups.
- It serves as a method to analyze the social ramifications of infrastructure projects and other development interventions.
- These impacts span various aspects of people’s lives, encompassing culture, community, political systems, and overall well-being.
- SIAs cover key areas such as community engagement, workforce management, housing, local business involvement, and health considerations to identify impacts and necessary mitigation measures.
Read Also: Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme)
