Ministry of Jal Shakti has stated that the allegations that affected families of Ken-Betwa Link Project have not been compensated or rehabilitated are incorrect and misleading. In a statement, the Ministry said that most eligible families have received full compensation and rehabilitation benefits, and only procedural formalities remain in a few cases. It assured that Centre, Madhya Pradesh government, and the Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority remain fully committed to ensuring transparent, just, and time-bound compensation and dignified rehabilitation for all genuinely affected families.
The Ken-Betwa Link Project, India’s first major river-linking initiative under the National Perspective Plan, aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River to the Betwa River to provide irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydropower benefits to the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The project will ensure irrigation for 10.62 lakh hectares, drinking water for nearly 62 lakh people, and 103 MW of hydropower generation. Of the total estimated cost of over 44 thousand 604 crore rupees, around 12 thousand 445 crore rupees have been spent up to July this year.
Land acquisition, rehabilitation, and resettlement activities are being carried out strictly in accordance with the RFCTLARR Act, 2013, and the Special Rehabilitation Package approved by the Government of Madhya Pradesh on 13th of September 2023. Compensation for acquired land is being provided either as per the Act or at 12.50 lakh rupees per hectare, whichever is higher. Compensation for houses, trees, wells, tube wells, and other immovable assets has been determined as per statutory provisions.
Eligible families are being provided seven lakh rupees for rural plots and 6.50 lakh rupees for urban plots, while those opting out of plots receive 12.50 lakh rupees as one-time assistance. Additional financial support is being extended to eligible Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families in Scheduled Areas to ensure a fair and balanced rehabilitation process.
