A parliamentary standing committee has raised serious concerns over persistent violations of land acquisition laws in India's scheduled tribal areas. The committee, focusing on rural development and panchayati raj, flagged that the safeguards within the landmark 2013 land acquisition law are being routinely undermined, threatening the rights and livelihoods of indigenous communities.
Key Violations and Committee Observations
The committee, chaired by Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka from Koraput, Odisha, submitted its report on 18 December 2025. It found that land in constitutionally protected scheduled areas is frequently acquired without meaningful consent, proper social impact assessments, or adequate rehabilitation plans.
A major issue highlighted is the bypassing of consent provisions. The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act) mandates prior, informed consent from the gram sabha (village council) for acquisitions in scheduled areas. However, the panel noted that projects are often approved with manipulated consent processes or no genuine consultation, eroding local self-governance.
The committee also flagged large-scale acquisitions for mining, industrial, and infrastructure projects. These lead to displacement, loss of forest access, environmental damage, and the erosion of traditional livelihoods. Inadequate social impact assessments fail to evaluate these long-term consequences before project clearances are granted.
Specific Cases of Non-Compliance
The report cited specific regions where violations were observed. In Lakshadweep, authorities argued that enclosing or reclaiming foreshore reef flats and beaches did not constitute acquisition as the land was government-owned. The committee firmly disagreed, stating the Act protects livelihoods dependent on government and common land. It recommended that any such reclamation project must first conduct a proper social impact assessment.
Regarding the Great Nicobar project, the panel emphasized that all people whose livelihoods depend on forests, coasts, and commons must be treated as "affected families," even if the land is recorded as government property. Cases in Odisha, where land was acquired for mining, were also highlighted as examples of problematic practices.
Why Strict Enforcement is Crucial
India's scheduled tribe population, according to the 2011 Census, is about 10.45 crore, constituting 8.6% of the total population. These communities, spread across over 700 distinct groups in states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and the Northeast, have a deep cultural and economic connection to their land.
Scheduled areas enjoy special protection under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution to prevent exploitation. Strict enforcement of the LARR Act is vital to ensure transparent procedures, fair compensation (up to four times market value in rural areas), and effective rehabilitation. This approach helps reduce conflicts, protect constitutional safeguards, and promote inclusive development.
Recommendations for a Rights-Based Path
The committee advocated for development that is inclusive and rights-based, not extractive. Its key recommendations include:
- Strict enforcement of land acquisition laws in scheduled areas to protect tribal rights.
- Mandatory and genuine gram sabha consent, with no dilution of community consultations.
- Strengthening of social impact assessments to fully account for displacement and livelihood loss.
- Ensuring timely compensation and effective rehabilitation and resettlement.
- Establishing a central monitoring mechanism to track the functionality of state-level land authorities.
- Introducing a new provision for a mandatory community stake and profit-sharing mechanism for commercial projects on acquired agricultural land.
Echoing the committee's concerns, social activist Vijay Kuzur, associated with the Hamari Parampara, Hamari Virasat program in Jharkhand, noted that while the 2013 Act provides strong legal safeguards, its provisions are often ignored in practice. The panel's report underscores an urgent need to align ground realities with the law's protective intent.
