Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec. 8: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has written a detailed representation to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, seeking urgent intervention to ensure strict compliance with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act) during the proposed land acquisition in Gandhi Nagar and Shastri Nagar, Great Nicobar Island.
Concern for Ex-Servicemen Settler Families: The MP emphasized that the affected villages are inhabited predominantly by ex-servicemen settler families, originally brought by the Government under the 1969 Ex-Servicemen Rehabilitation Scheme for strategic and national security purposes. Many families have already faced two major displacements—first during initial settlement and again after the 2004 Tsunami. A third displacement is now causing severe anxiety.
Major procedural violations highlighted: Shri Ray pointed out that the District Administration has initiated Section 16 processes (R&R census and public hearing) without first disposing of objections under Section 15(3), which is contrary to the mandatory sequence of the Act.
The MP explained that Section 15 requires, Right to object to land area, suitability, public purpose, and SIA findings, Mandatory personal hearing by the Collector and a reasoned final order before moving to Section 16.
Since objections filed by PRI members and villagers have not been disposed of, beginning Section 16 actions creates a false impression of a pre-decided acquisition and violates principles of fairness under RFCTLARR.
Defective SIA and compensation gaps: The MP highlighted serious deficiencies in the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) such as (i) Inadequate field verification (ii) Poor mapping of schools, anganwadis, places of worship, and burial grounds (iii) Missing records of plantation-based livelihoods (iv) Non-reflection of entire settlements of Gandhi Nagar and Shastri Nagar.
He noted the 2004 benchmark of ₹9.39 lakh per hectare (for submerged land in Great Nicobar), which inflates to Rs 32 lakh per hectare today, and insisted that valuation must follow this logical benchmark under Section 26. He further emphasised that compensation for plantation crops must reflect lifetime income, not just one year’s income, as presently indicated in the SIA.
The defective Rehabilitation and Re-settlement package does not provide clear plan shared with villagers, no written R&R scheme with maps, timelines, or land-for-land options has been shared, no clarity on relocation of schools, places of worship, or community assets, vulnerable groups (widows, elderly, persons with disabilities) have not been addressed.
Shri Ray clarified that the settler families are not opposing the development or airport project; their only request is adherence to due process and ensuring that no family becomes landless or livelihood-less.
Premature initiation of Section 16 procedures could lead to humanitarian distress, avoidable litigation, and loss of trust, therefore Mr. Ray, Hon’ble MP made an appeal to the Prime Minister and Home Minister to:
1. Direct the Administration to strictly follow Sections 11, 15 and 16 in sequence.
2. Treat Section 16 proceedings as provisional until Section 15(3) orders are passed.
3. Ensure no possession is taken and no Section 19 declaration is made prematurely.
4. Re-examine the SIA with proper field verification.
5. Use the 2006 benchmark valuation (₹9.39 lakh/ha, inflated to ~₹32 lakh/ha).
6. Finalise a humane R&R package with land-for-land, house-for-house, and full livelihood protection.
7. Hold repeated Gram Sabha consultations in simple language.
Shri Ray expressed confidence that timely intervention by the Central Government will protect both national strategic interests and the rights of patriotic settler families.