THE SOCIAL COMMITMENT

NTPC believes in growth with a human face, and pursuing people-centred development. NTPC is a socially committed organisation and a socially responsible corporate citizen. It attaches great importance to discharging its overall social responsibilities to the community and the society at large where its projects and stations are located. In this regard Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) program becomes an area of sharp focus, a program that addresses people affected directly or indirectly in the wake of the projects undertaken by NTPC.

THE PIONEER

Sensitive to the social issues since its inception, the organisation framed guidelines for the facilities to be given to the land oustees in 1980 Building on the earlier guidelines, a comprehensive R&R policy was formulated and approved for implementation in May 1993. Based on its experiences and good practices adopted at various projects since the implementation of the 1993 policy, as also taking into consideration the GOI’s recently notified NPRR-2003, NTPC R&R policy has been revised in June 2005. The policy has been arrived at after intense consultation with the stakeholders. Click here to view the R&R policy.

The organisation was the first Public Sector Undertaking(PSU), and in that way the pioneer, in having such a policy in 1993. International funding agencies, as also the Government of India, recognise and acknowledge the experiences gained by NTPC in this significant task.

THE COMPREHENSIVE POLICY FRAMEWORK

The R&R policy aims at improving the overall economic status of Project Affected Persons (PAPs). This is achieved by providing opportunities in the fields of sustainable income, health, education, sanitation, communication and other such areas. Community development activities are carried out in a transparent and participative manner. Each program is based on the specific local requirement and guided by the extensive Socio Economic Surveys (SES). This helps meet the objective of ensuring that the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) improve or at least regain their previous standard of living. Efforts are made to adopt a holistic approach to community development.

Thrust is also given on participation and consultation of stakeholders and setting up of institutional mechanisms like Public Information Centre (PIC), Village Development Advisory Committee (VDAC) etc.

The PAPs are systematically categorised on an individual basis, thereby bringing into its fold homestead oustees, agricultural land owners, agricultural and non agricultural labourers, tribals, occupiers cultivating forest land etc. The Resettlement and Rehabilitation program is meticulously worked out for each PAP. The R&R policy options and entitlements include :

Resettlement

• Developed alternate free house plot in resettlement colony with necessary infrastructure facilities or provisions for self resettlement.
• Free transport arrangement for belongings and reusable material or suitable transport grant.
• Infrastructure to be provided includes primary school, dispensary, panchayat ghar, drinking water well/ hand pumps, WBM roads, drainage, Sulabh Sauchalaya etc.
• Suitable Resettlement Grant etc.

Rehabilitation

• “Land for land” on a ‘willing buyer willing seller’ basis
• Other rehabilitation options based on need and requirement
• Capacity Addition Programmes
• Suitable Rehabilitation Grants, Subsistance Allowance etc.
• Other innovative measures like incentivising purchase of land by the landless etc.
• Additional Economic Opportunities as per need and requirement

EXTENSIVE SURVEYS AND FORMULATION OF REHABILITATION ACTION PLAN (RAP)

The rehabilitation plans rest on the sound foundation of Socio economic surveys (SES). Independent and reputed professional institutes conduct these surveys. Surveys help assess the information on each PAP and chalk out the Rehabilitation Action Plan (RAP). RAPs are prepared for new expansion and green field projects The plans are finalised in a consultative manner with the PAPs and the State administration and soon they translate into viable projects. The plans primarily aim at resettling PAPs in resettlement colonies, providing them infrastructure facilities and also ways and means of rehabilitation.

The rehabilitation process is attuned to the local conditions and the needs of the people. Facilitation for Land for Land on a ‘willing buyer willing seller basis’ is the main focus for rehabilitation. The PAPs are encouraged to be partners in the implementation of the project. With an eye on long-term development, vocational training has been built into the rehabilitation process. The plans are implemented within a definite time frame and a specified budget.

There is sharp focus on all round socio economic development of the community, which is why the efforts do not stop at the individual or family level redressal but take a holistic approach. Improving the roads, health care, education, vocational training, infrastructure development and sports are major activities. Apart from that various welfare and cultural activities are also taken up.

RAPs under implementation:

RAPs have been finalised for thirteen projects and are in various stages of implementation viz.

1. Kayamkulam
2. Talcher Kaniha
3. Vindhyachal Ash Dyke
4. Korba Ash Dyke
5. Rihand Ash Dyke
6. Faridabad
7. Simhadri
8. Unchahar-II
9. Sipat
10. Anta-II
11. Auraiya-II
12. Kol Dam
13. Barh

Remedial Action Plan

Some Projects/Stations of NTPC were already fully or substantially developed by the time the 1993R&R Policy was adopted/implemented in 1993. In those projects/stations also, the PAPs' Resettlement & Rehabilitation was taken care of and the inputs/facilities etc. were provided for. However, to cope with its total commitment to the well being of PAPs, the Company did a re-assessment of the activities in the older projects/stations and carried out a 'retrofit' R&R operation to bridge the gaps wherever they had occurred. Retrofit SES for such 12 projects viz. Singrauli, Rihand-I, Vindhyachal-I, Korba, Kawas, Gandhar, Farakka, Kahalgaon, Ramagundam, Anta-I, Auraiya-I and NCPS Dadri have been carried out and Remedial Actions Plans (ReAPs) prepared. These ReAPs were time bound with a specified budget. All the 12 ReAPs have been completed and are closed as on date

IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Institutional Framework

R&R Group

Recognising the importance of sound institutional framework to achieve the desired results NTPC has set up dedicated R&R groups. The R&R groups operate at projects, Regional Headquarters and the Corporate Centre. At the project level the group is responsible for coordinating and implementing the R&R plans and activities. The regional R&R groups are responsible for monitoring the progress of implementation of R&R plans and follow up of the respective R&R activities. At Corporate level, it oversees consistent application of policies, its revision from time to time and facilitates the projects and the regions in planning, scheduling ,budgeting and approval of RAPs etc.

The right skill mix has also been provided by associating people with social expertise and philanthropic thoughts, consultants, facilitators, social scientists wherever and whenever such help was felt necessary. Professional NGOs/CBOs capable of assisting self employment have been engaged at times to achieve the desired results depending upon the need and requirement. Encouragement has been given for the formation of informal groups at project level involving employees, their families, service groups etc to augment organisational efforts for the socio economic development of the areas.

For effective participation, consultation and transparency with the stakeholders in its activities, Public Information Centres (PICs) and Village Development Advisory Committees (VDACs) have been set up by the organisation. In addition to this, depending upon the need, the programmes are carried out closely with the NGOs/CBOs. The Grievance Redressal Mechanism for each project encourages PAPs to approach them if dissatisfied with the arrangements.

In an endeavour to not just meet its promise but transcend, innovative practices are used from time to time depending on the project. Our personnel in-charge of R&R activities in the organisation endeavour to not just meet the formal organisational commitments made to the PAPs but go beyond them through the application of innovative practices from time to time

Public Information Centre (PIC)

To disseminate information on the project, PICs at Corporate Centre and the projects house an array of documents- survey reports, action plans, land records, policy etc. The PAPs are able to glean information on various facets of the project and also submit any query or grievance.

Village Development Advisory Committee (VDAC)

VDACs facilitates finalisation and implementation of RAPs in a participative manner. The representatives of PAPs, Gram Pradhan, Panchayat representative, Block Development Officer, other representatives of State Government NTPC and NGOs/CBOs, constitute it and meet regularly since the formulation of RAP till completion and closure of RAPs at respective projects.

For further information please contact :
vkgupta02@ntpc.co.in, neeraj_kapoor64@yahoo.com, cbpoddar@ntpc.co.in