Identifying Correct Road Map
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: November 04 2015 -
Given the stiff resistance against building of big dams and hydro-projects by many civil society organisations around the world, there is a need to reassess the idea of development in all areas of considered underdeveloped.
As far as big dams are concerned, the rationale behind the opposition has been primarily focussed on impending impoverishment of those who are likely to be displaced.
This rationale has spurred doubts over the efficacy of bringing in policies dictated by the powerful entities in the name of developing underdeveloped areas.
Globalization accompanied by neo-liberal reforms since the 1990s in India has led to massive changes which require penetrative reassessment.
While analyzing the advantages brought about by liberalization of the economy, policies related to exploiting the natural resources and land use have to be scrutinized from certain perspective which takes into consideration the views of those who are directly affected by the implementation of the same policies.
The Government of India’s move to set defence, infrastructure and power projects in rural area was caught in the whirlpool of land acquisition procedures giving rise to issues related to forced acquisitions, rehabilitation and re-settlement of displaced persons, low rates of compensation etc.
There is a need to assess how this move will affect the contours of development in Northeast region of India which has not been left from a mantra bulldozed to reap expected good harvest out of efforts to push eastward.
There has not been much debate on political challenge of ordinances, acts and polices related to induced development in the Northeast region of India despite the ripples as evident from many anti-dam protests seen in recent times.
The question should no longer be based on the quantum of compensation or even the consequent polices of dealing with the displaced.
Observers have even questioned the process of legalizing methods of looting precious natural resources while bringing no benefits to the people.
The miseries of displacement and woes of the communities have often been countered with promises of charting a singular path to development through building thermal power plants, dams, nuclear power plants, special economic zones, industrial corridors and other infrastructure projects.
In the absence of an alternative discourse, it would indeed be difficult to measure the distance of a path charted in the name of identifying the correct road map.
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