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People Affected by Kondapochamma Reservoir in Telangana Allege Violations in Rehabilitation, Compensation

Reported by

Seethalakshmi

Legal Review by

Edited by

Updated by

Published on

October 14, 2016

May 17, 2022

Edited on

October 14, 2016

State

Telangana

Sector

Infrastructure

People Affected by Conflict

Households Affected by Conflict

Land Area Affected (in Hectares)

2304

ha

Starting Year

2016

Location of Conflict

Wargal and Mulug tehsils

Medak

Reason or Cause of Conflict

Irrigation Dam

Land Conflict Summary

The Kondapochamma irrigation project in Telangana's Medak district is another milestone under the multistage Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme. The reservoir, with a capacity of 7,000 million cubic feet, will provide water to an area of around 2,85,280 acres but also submerge three of the villages completely. Around 5,694 acres of land from the villages of Mamidyal (2,033 acres), Biranpur (1,009 acres), Markook (960 acres), Pamulaparthi (826 acres), Tanedarpally (539 acres) and Kotyala (327 acres) had been acquired for the project, which was strongly opposed by the residents of these villages. In February 2018, residents stalled construction work and demanded the compensation and rehabilitation package promised at the time of land acquisition. They also alleged that pollution in the area had increased after work on the project commenced, adding that many villagers had been diagnosed with respiratory problems. On December 31, 2018, the villagers agitated on site. However, in January 2019, they elected the same ruling party's candidate for sarpanch. By April 2020, construction work was complete, and the residents were allegedly shifted to the newly constructed rehabilitation and resettlement colony. However, they claimed that they were forcefully relocated from their houses on April 30, 2020, with the help of the police, and shifted overnight to small shed houses instead of the promised doublebedroom houses. In an interview in September 2020, they also claimed that were unable to approach the court or the chief minister because of threats by the police. The villagers were additionally promised jobs, but were not given any. The residents managed to challenge the forceful relocation in the Telangana high court, which ordered the temporary rehabilitation of the families on May 7. There were several issues with the temporary rehabilitation from commute to the vanishing promise of permanent settlement. Yet, on May 9, the houses were demolished, and on May 29, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao inaugurated the reservoir project. On March 10, 2021, the Telangana high court sentenced Siddipet District Collector O. Venkatarami Reddy and Special Deputy Collector (land acquisition) Jayachandra Reddy to three and four months of imprisonment, respectively, along with fines to be paid to the court and costs to be paid to the petitioners, for failing to implement the court's orders. The residents remain partially compensated.

Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for promised compensation

Demand for rehabilitation

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Type of Land

Both

Type of Common Land

Non-Forest (Grazing Land), Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

1668.55

Type of investment:

Cost of Project

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Legal Data

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Land Acquisition Laws

Legislations/Policies Involved

Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Section 16 [Preparation of rehabilitation and resettlement scheme by the administrator]; Section 17 [Review of the rehabilitation and resettlement scheme]; Section 18 [Approved rehabilitation and resettlement scheme to be made public]; Section 25 [Award by collector must be made within 12 months from date of publication of declaration]; Section 26 [Criteria for assessment and determination of market value of land by collector]; Section 27 [Determination of amount of compensation]; Section 28 [Parameters to be considered by collector in determination of award]; Section 31(1) [Rehabilitation and resettlement award for affected families by collector]; Section 38 [Power to take possession of land to be acquired]; Section 77 [Payment of compensation or deposit of same in authority]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Non-rehabilitation of displaced people

Non-implementation/violation of LARR Act

Delay in compensation

Non-payment of compensation/promised compensation

Legal Status:

In Court

Status of Case In Court

Pending

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

High Court for the State of Telangana

Case Number

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

Displacement

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Fertile land in six villages were acquired for construction of a reservoir without prior consultation with the people

Date of Violation

April 30, 2020

Location of Violation

Mamidayal, Siddipet District

Additional Information

Nature of Protest

Complaints/petitions/letters/memorandums to officials

Protests/marches

Blockades

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Irrigation & CAD Department, Police, Revenue Department

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL)

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Telangana Rashtra Samithi, Congress Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Resources

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Images

Image Credit:  

Image Credit:  

Video

The Kondapochamma irrigation project in Telangana's Medak district is another milestone under the multistage Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme. The reservoir, with a capacity of 7,000 million cubic feet, will provide water to an area of around 2,85,280 acres but also submerge three of the villages completely. Around 5,694 acres of land from the villages of Mamidyal (2,033 acres), Biranpur (1,009 acres), Markook (960 acres), Pamulaparthi (826 acres), Tanedarpally (539 acres) and Kotyala (327 acres) had been acquired for the project, which was strongly opposed by the residents of these villages. In February 2018, residents stalled construction work and demanded the compensation and rehabilitation package promised at the time of land acquisition. They also alleged that pollution in the area had increased after work on the project commenced, adding that many villagers had been diagnosed with respiratory problems. On December 31, 2018, the villagers agitated on site. However, in January 2019, they elected the same ruling party's candidate for sarpanch. By April 2020, construction work was complete, and the residents were allegedly shifted to the newly constructed rehabilitation and resettlement colony. However, they claimed that they were forcefully relocated from their houses on April 30, 2020, with the help of the police, and shifted overnight to small shed houses instead of the promised doublebedroom houses. In an interview in September 2020, they also claimed that were unable to approach the court or the chief minister because of threats by the police. The villagers were additionally promised jobs, but were not given any. The residents managed to challenge the forceful relocation in the Telangana high court, which ordered the temporary rehabilitation of the families on May 7. There were several issues with the temporary rehabilitation from commute to the vanishing promise of permanent settlement. Yet, on May 9, the houses were demolished, and on May 29, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao inaugurated the reservoir project. On March 10, 2021, the Telangana high court sentenced Siddipet District Collector O. Venkatarami Reddy and Special Deputy Collector (land acquisition) Jayachandra Reddy to three and four months of imprisonment, respectively, along with fines to be paid to the court and costs to be paid to the petitioners, for failing to implement the court's orders. The residents remain partially compensated.

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for promised compensation

Demand for rehabilitation

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Type of Land

Both

Type of Common Land

Non-Forest (Grazing Land), Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)

Total investment involved (in Crores):

1668.55

Type of investment:

Cost of Project

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Land Acquisition Laws

Legislations/Policies Involved

Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Section 16 [Preparation of rehabilitation and resettlement scheme by the administrator]; Section 17 [Review of the rehabilitation and resettlement scheme]; Section 18 [Approved rehabilitation and resettlement scheme to be made public]; Section 25 [Award by collector must be made within 12 months from date of publication of declaration]; Section 26 [Criteria for assessment and determination of market value of land by collector]; Section 27 [Determination of amount of compensation]; Section 28 [Parameters to be considered by collector in determination of award]; Section 31(1) [Rehabilitation and resettlement award for affected families by collector]; Section 38 [Power to take possession of land to be acquired]; Section 77 [Payment of compensation or deposit of same in authority]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Non-rehabilitation of displaced people

Non-implementation/violation of LARR Act

Delay in compensation

Non-payment of compensation/promised compensation

Legal Status:

In Court

Status of Case In Court

Pending

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

High Court for the State of Telangana

Case Number

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

Displacement

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Fertile land in six villages were acquired for construction of a reservoir without prior consultation with the people

Date of Violation

April 30, 2020

Location of Violation

Mamidayal, Siddipet District

Nature of Protest

Complaints/petitions/letters/memorandums to officials

Protests/marches

Blockades

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Irrigation & CAD Department, Police, Revenue Department

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL)

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Telangana Rashtra Samithi, Congress Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Image Credit:  

Image Credit:  

Documented By

Text Link

Reviewed By

Text Link

Updated By

Text Link

Edited By

Text LinkLand Conflict Watch

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