Andhra Pradesh Irrigation Project-III - Socio-Economic Study of Project Affected Persons Under SRBC Main Canal

Abstract

Rayalaseema being the states most backward and drought prone area, the impact of irrigation on the backward area and people will be significant and the development after water reaches these areas will be significant. Thereby improving the socio-economic status of people of the area, the Srisailam Right Branch Canal (SRBC) Project was formulated. The SRBC takes off from the right of the Regulator to provide irrigation to an area of 65,000 ha. In Kurnool district. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has acquired land for the construction of canals, roads, Owk reservoir and office and residential colonies for the staff for the purpose of SRBC. Lands have been acquired so far from a number of families living in 48 villages of SRBC Project area, several of them being Project Benefitted people in the command area. The socio-economic study of PAPs under SRBC Project be taken up in two phases. Phase I consists of the study of the affected families due to completed acquisition of lands for SRBC project to assess the impact of the land acquisition on the on the PAPs so as to enable the I & CAD Department of Government of Andhra Pradesh to formulate the Action Plan for the rehabilitation and resettlement of PAPs. The present report covers the Phase I of SRBC. The schedule method employed to collect for primary data and secondary data collected from various Offices. The socio-economic study of PAPs has been conducted on census basis covering 3386 subjects under the canal and 2559 subjects under ayacut roads. Study reveals that project affected area details like lands, cropping pattern, livestock, institutions, roads, the PAA has basic social and economic infrastructure for catering to PAC, drinking water source etc. The report also discussed land acquisition particulars. The study reveals that 62% of the PAFs are nuclear families. Before land acquisition 723 of PAPs are marginal, 274 are small and 59 are medium and large farmers. The main occupation is agriculture (43.9%) and 448 PAPs (39.9%) are below poverty line. An analysis of land acquisition of PAPs by their land holding reveals that 48.3% lost more than 75.1 to 100% of their lands and distribution of PAPs by social group reveals that highest number of PAPs 43.1 belong to BCs. The per acre average cost awarded by LAO works out Rs. 17186/- which has been enhanced to Rs. 63,622/- by the court which constitute 270% to the original compensation amount. The schemes did not have perceptible impact on the PAPs income as per the beneficiaries. The study suggest that the creation of better infrastructural facilities will in turn promote higher literacy and educational development and elevate the socio-economic status of the are and people. The PAPs must be ranked on the basis of the magnitude of loss of their resource base and life support system sustained by them due to land acquisition. The study also provided various action points have been suggested to tackle these problems.