UNDERSTANDING THE LIVELIHOODS OF THE PEOPLE OF ODISHA AFTER LAND ACQUISITION . A CASE STUDY OF DHINKIA VILLAGE OF JAGATSINGPUR, ODISHA

PRAKASHCHANDRAMALLICK

GUIDEPROF. ALEX

AKHUP

INTRODUCTIONLAND ACQUISITION- In the contemporary society, land acquisition is a

pernicious social problem in the name of development. Since last one decade ,Odisha has been undergoing rapid industrialisation process which has resulted into massive displacement of indigenous people from their land and livelihoods.

So displacement issues in Odisha have captured nation’s imagination in recent years. In the name of development people being thrown into the vicious cycle of poverty and marginalization. It is a fact that implementation of Rehabilitation and Resettlement policy of Odisha government is also very precarious.

LOSS OF LIVELIHOODS

Betel leaf (pan) farming is proving a profitable business in Kujang and Erasama block of Jagatsinghpur district. With growing demand for 'Kujang Paan' in the southern parts of Orissa and in certain parts of Maharastra, Bihar, Jharkhand and other parts of the country so more and more farmers were showing an interest in betel leaf cultivation. Local farmers have claimed that the pattern of betel leaf cultivation in Kujang differs from that in other costal districts of Orissa including Puri and Baleswar. The betel plant creeper 'Naa' used in cultivation is a unique variety not occurring elsewhere in the state. The total betel leaf business in the region is stated to be in the vicinity of Rs 10 cores on an annual average.

More than 2200 betel vine has been affected in Dhinkia, Nuagaon and Gadkujang panchayts for proposed Posco steel plant.

As far as livelihood is concerned, there are 2300 families who have been lost their livelihood, because they were quite dependent on agriculture(betel, paddy and fish) to earn their livelihood but the proposed posco project has acquired their agricultural land .

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Land acquisition is a huge issue in this present scenario .There would be several factors in occurring this problem, but out of them rapid industrialisation is one of the most dangerous factor. If we talk about Orissa , land acquisition is a pandemic problem in Orissa, which has been spreading like a wild fire year by year.

The research study intends to gather information about the displaced people of jagatsinghpur .The prime concern will be on the socio-economic status and livelihood of the people who have been displaced.

RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

As far as my opinion is concerned, this is a huge problem which should be studied. The fact is that it is a matter of human existence .

There are many questions in my mind which i would like to mention here, such as, after losing the agricultural land and after being displaced, are they able to earn their livelihood? Are they able to fulfil their basic needs? Are they able to provide education to their children. That is why, i would like to conduct this research study.

LITERATURE REVIEW

“Development and deprivation” by Manipadma Jena(EPW april 11, 1998).

Mr. Jena has stated that the least recognised consequence of displacement is the invariable uprooting and dismemberment of social, moral and economic systems of life built over generations.

People vs steel(EPW june 19, 2010).EPW has mentioned that Whatever the final denouement, it

is essential that the demands and aspirations of the affected people be met. It is necessary to get the informed consent of those who will be displaced or otherwise affected. Their rehabilitation – pro- viding agricultural land, houses, compensation and skill training – should be completed before work on the project is started.

CONTD...

Posco project a mega deal(EPW july 2,2005).

EPW has tried to mention that Orissa has witnessed a severe deteriora- tion in its habitat and environment, partly a result of indis- criminate award of mining leases and the like, and it is hoped that an environmental and social impact assessment of the POSCO project is carried out with public hearings

Contd..

Status of Adivasis/Indegeneous peoples Land Series-2(Odisha) by Kundan Kumar(2011).

STATUS REPORT-Land Rights and Ownership in Orissa by UNDP(2008).

Displacement and its effects on livelihood(M.A Dessertation) by Saumya ranjan Nath(2011).

Government of Orissa, resettlement and rehabilitation policy(2006).

People's Movement at Kalinga Nagar - An Epitaph or an Epitome by B. Mishra(2006)

International Area Review Volume 11, Number 2, Fall 2008

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

This study will look into the transformation in livelihood after land acquisition and displacement. The specific objectives of the research are,

To study the process of land acquisition and it’s positive and negative impact on the land less people.

To study the socio-economic position of the displaced people.

To study the process of rehabilitation and resettlement.

To study the role of Orissa Government on land acquisition and displacement.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

What is the process and criteria of land acquisition?

How does the land acquisition and displacement affects livelihood?

What is the socio-economic condition of the displaced people?

How did they compensate by the govt. Or the company?

Has the displacemet affected the education of children?

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

DESIGN OF THE STUDY:Case study approach.

SOURCES OF DATA: Primary and Secondary.

DATA COLLECTION: Interview schedule, observation and Fad process.

AREA OF STUDY

The universe of my study will be Erasama block of Jagatsingpur district of Odisha. There are four Gram Panchayats namely Dhinkia,Gadakujanga,Nuanga and Gobindpur which have been affected by POSCO steel project. Around 20,000 people will be affected by this mega project. My focus of study will be Dhinkia as large numbers of people are being displaced from this area.

ETHICAL CONCERNS-

Before going to the particular area to collect the data, the consent of the respondent should be taken into account.

The relationship between respondents and the researcher should be confidential, as far as data and information are concerned.

The researcher should be honest and truthful at the time of using the data.

REFERANCES-

Development and deprivation” (EPW april 11, 1998).

Posco project a mega deal(EPW july 2,2005). People vs steel(EPW june 19, 2010). Steel not enough(EPW february 18,2006) Qualitative Research Methodology , Epistemological Foundation and Research

Procedures((http://192.168.197.6/greenstone/collect/ijsw/index/assoc/HASH0177/d1c896be.dir/doc.pdf)

Contd...

(Development-induced displacement). A joint study by Indian social institute, Bangalore and Loyola college of social sciences, Thiruvananthapuram (Rawat publication)

STATUS REPORT- Land Rights and Ownership in Orissa, © UNDP 2008 (http://www.undp.org/content/dam/india/docs/land_rights_ownership_in_orissa.pdf)

International Journal of Rural Management. (http://irm.sagepub.com/content/9/1/17)

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