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The resettlement and rehabilitation
process in
Gujarat
has endeavored to retain the culture
of the tribal PAFs, while at the same
time ensuring that they have assimilated
successfully in the new resettlement
sites. SSPA has tried to protect the
social customs, lifestyle and culture
of the communities by following the
cluster and village approach to resettlement.
However, it has also simultaneously
tried to play a proactive role in the
resettlement process so that their basic
quality of life sees an improvement.
Preserving
Tradition
For the purpose of resettlement, the PAFs are at liberty
rehabilitated in a relocation site exclusively
formed for them or have been annexed
to a village that has already existed.
The community approach to resettlement
has helped retain the social fabric
of the traditional ethnic groups and
has prevented their disintegration.
In terms of the house construction,
the PAFs have been free to construct
their houses according to their traditional
designs. Since the resettlement is done
collectively, the tribal communities
are also able to preserve their social
rituals and functions, and observe their
own festivals.
Resettlement
and Host Village
While shifting the PAFs to the new sites, the Gujarat
government has adopted a unique strategy
that ensures that the PAFs and the neighboring
existing communities from the host village
live without any social discord. It
has bought the land for resettlement
from owners who are willing to sell
land at the market price through its
land purchase committee. By not engaging
in any kind of coercive methods for
land procurement, SSPA has been instrumental
in creating a harmonious relationship
between the host village and the resettled
communities.
Vasahat
Samiti and Punarvasvat Sathi
For a meaningful integration of the R&R sites with the
mainstream, Vasahat Samitis (Site Committees)
have been constituted in a large number
of the sites. Each of these committees
comprise of elected PAPs, one of which
is female. The actual number of committee
members depends on the size of the resettlement
site. The Extension Officer is the convenor
and an NGO representative is an invitee
member of the Samiti. The tenure of
the members is three years.
The role of the committee is to resolve minor problems as
and when they arise at the site. It
secures informed participation of the
PAFs in the site affairs and also undertakes
minor repair and cleaning work.
The Vasahat Samiti in each site selects one of its members
as the Punarvasvat Sathi. This person
acts as the mediating agency between
the PAFs and the SSPA, government and
the panchayat machinery. He is also
involved in the quick redressal of grievances.
Better integration of the PAFs with the host village is ensured
through Govt. of Gujarat’s order (Section
98 of the Gujarat Panchayat Act, 1993),
wherein it is stipulated that there
will be one or two PAF invitees in the
village panchayat within whose territorial
jurisdiction the R&R sites are situated.
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