MP Govt Claims Full Rehabilitation Of Ken-Betwa Project Affected Families

The Madhya Pradesh government has claimed that all affected families of the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project have been fully rehabilitated. During Question Hour in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Revenue Minister Karna Singh Verma provided detailed information on the rehabilitation of families affected by the project in Panna and Chhatarpur districts.

The project has displaced 1,321 families from seven villages in Panna district, while 644 account holders, representing land belonging to 1,699 farmers, are affected by land acquisition. In Chhatarpur district, 3,718 families from 14 villages in the Block-Bazaar area are affected due to land acquisition or submergence.

According to the minister, all affected families have been sanctioned their due benefits. In Panna, all 1,321 displaced families have received rehabilitation packages, and the 644 account holders have been provided compensation. In Chhatarpur district, all 3,718 families have been approved for the prescribed benefits.

The minister assured the House that no family has been denied approval. The Leader of Opposition, Umang Singhar, had raised concerns over the displacement and rehabilitation of families affected by the project. The government acknowledged receiving grievances from Panna district regarding the exclusion of eligible persons from rehabilitation lists, errors in compensation assessment, and irregularities in benefit distribution.

A special team conducted a fresh survey in response to the grievances. The survey found that no eligible person had been left out, confirmed that compensation was determined as per the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, and reported no irregularities in distribution.

In Chhatarpur district, complaints focused on families left out of the rehabilitation list. Following an official order dated April 15, 2026, village-wise teams were formed for fresh surveys. Initially, 3,080 families were sanctioned benefits. After receiving survey reports, an additional 638 eligible families were also approved for the prescribed amounts.

The Ken-Betwa River Linking Project aims to provide irrigation and drinking water benefits to local communities in the Bundelkhand region. The government has maintained that proactive measures have been taken to address all concerns, ensuring transparent implementation of the project.

The project has been a subject of controversy, with protests and allegations of irregularities in the rehabilitation process. However, the government's claim of full rehabilitation of affected families is a significant development in the project's implementation.

The project's success is crucial for the development of the Bundelkhand region, which has been facing water scarcity and irrigation issues. The government's efforts to address the concerns of affected families and ensure transparent implementation of the project are essential for its success.

In conclusion, the Madhya Pradesh government's claim of full rehabilitation of affected families is a positive step towards the successful implementation of the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project. The project has the potential to bring significant benefits to the local communities, and the government's efforts to address concerns and ensure transparency are crucial for its success.