Parliamentary panel to table Nicobar project report in July

A parliamentary panel will present findings on the implementation of India’s land acquisition law in regions affected by major infrastructure projects, including those in Great Nicobar and Lakshadweep, during the upcoming Parliament session in July. In Lakshadweep, stakeholders highlighted several issues, including diversion of land belonging to scheduled tribe populations, appropriation of “pandaram” lands previously leased to locals, new fishing zone restrictions affecting livelihoods, and tourism project encroachments damaging coconut trees vital to local industries, people aware of the matter said. “We had a subject meeting with stakeholders from Great Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Kevadia, Polavaram and Ken Betwa on implementation of Right to Fair Compensation in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013. In Lakshadweep, stakeholders highlighted several issues, including diversion of land belonging to scheduled tribe populations, appropriation of “pandaram” lands previously leased to locals, new fishing zone restrictions affecting livelihoods, and tourism project encroachments damaging coconut trees vital to local industries, one of these people said.