What is Economic development? Explained.

In the previous post we learned about Agrarian Relations In India The objective of this post is to comprehend economic development, which is the main notion of development. To gain understanding of the social cost of growth. To comprehend the components of a resettlement and rehabilitation policy based on social justice and human rights ideals.

Content

Introduction
Causes of Displacement
The Process of Land Acquisition in India
Impact of Displacement
People’s Movements: Displacement No More Taken for Granted
Development, Displacement, and Resettlement and Rehabilitation
Summary

Introduction

Economic development is regarded as indispensable for the progress and prosperity of any country. Ever since human beings have existed, development is taking place and the countries in different parts of the world are marching ahead. Since without development, there will be status quo, there can be no progress and growth. Seen in this perspective economic development is desirably required for the betterment of man. Economic development raises the living standards of people so that they are better off from their previous state. It necessarily involves creation of basic infrastructure like railways, roads, shipping, civil aviation, power station, irrigation facilities, means of communication, and establishment of industries. Such projects are invariably required as they improve lives of people, provide employment to them and supply them better services (Kaushal, 2009).

This economic development model does, however, also have a negative side. Harvey (2003) asserts that imperialism has rediscovered "the primordial sin of straightforward robbery" in the neoliberal era. Through a continuous process of primitive accumulation, global capitalism continues to recreate, preserve, and expand. According to Harvey, the neoliberal agenda actively promotes this "accumulation by dispossession" process. This tendency has been particularly accelerated in India by the privatization of publicly owned resources and state redistributions in favor of capital.

The resulting eviction of residents whose land is used for various development projects is one of the basic problems with such a model of economic development. Therefore, displacement is a drawback of this development process. Since development causes displacement, a nation's policy makers cannot ignore this sobering reality. It is necessary to embrace this fact and take action to lessen the suffering of the populace. For the sake of economic progress, development-induced displacement pushes people and communities to abandon their homes and native lands. Such relocation may take place inside a city or district, or it may occur between states, villages, and urban areas. Long distances and occasionally locations with differing sociocultural and economic contexts can also be involved. Economic growth as a move to better people's living situations is good, but displacement connected with it is undesirable. This paradox underlies development-induced displacement. The repercussions of displacement are particularly felt by economically, socially, and politically disenfranchised groups, as well as by indigenous populations, all over the world. Development-induced displacement has recently been exacerbated by rising globalization, policies of economic liberalization, structural adjustment, and stabilization programs.

In terms of development and displacement processes of transition, the Indian development experience is not more similar to either the alternative notion of development or the legal rational authority syndrome. It contains a number of elements both for development and for limitations. As the populace's demands for the fulfillment of the promise grow stronger, the whole State and its administrative apparatus are coming under immense pressure. Despite the fact that the Indian Constitution requires the State to play a transformative role, the built-in structure is not intended for this use, and it has run into various problems on the edges of development and displacement.

The allocation of rewards and liabilities in the development initiatives has given rise to issues of equity, fairness, justice, and equality before the law. People who were impacted by the initiative today are no longer willing to endure traumatizing experiences like displacement, loss of dignity, pauperization, occupational degradation, or social disorientation.

Causes of Displacement

Displacement brought on by development has its roots in many different factors. These factors include energy mining, power projects, oil exploration and extraction, energy supply (dams, reservoirs, irrigation), urban infrastructure, agricultural growth, transportation (roads, trains, highways, canals), parks, sanctuaries, and forest reserves. The construction of colonies, canals, catchment area treatment, downstream impacts, compensatory afforestation, and related conservation schemes like sanctuaries and national parks are only a few of the ways that large multipurpose river valley projects or dam projects displace people.

The establishment of townships for workers participating in the project's development and the creation of protected areas as reparations for the forest lands and natural habitats lost to submersion both result in displacement. Displacement caused by mining occurs in areas with abundant mineral reserves. Slum clearance, the creation of industrial and commercial estates, the construction of roads, railway tracks, and stations, power projects, schools, hospitals, ports, airports, and communication networks are just a few examples of urban infrastructure and transportation projects that result in displacement. People have been displaced more frequently in recent years due to the development of commercial centers, multiplexes, and Special Economic Zones.

The Process of Land Acquisition in India

Prior to talking about how huge development projects affect persons who are displaced, it is essential to talk about a few key elements of land acquisition in India. The Land Acquisition Act (1894) governed land acquisition in India until 2013. (1894). The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013, will govern land acquisition in India after 2014. The British-era law that permits the acquisition of land for some public purpose by a government agency from individual landowners after paying a government-determined compensation to cover losses incurred by landowners from surrendering their land to the agency must be changed, and the fact that they had to wait more than sixty years after independence is itself a cruel joke on the displaced people of India. This fundamental description of the act, which was previously highlighted, makes it simple to understand the arbitrariness and lack of public input. The majority of the impacted people's movements against development projects (which are discussed in the section below) have had to fight this law, which in some ways legitimizes eviction in the name of development.

The sole topics covered by the Land Acquisition Act are compensation and rehabilitation for those whose lands have been acquired. Only after compensation has been paid does the state's obligation to the harmed parties terminate. The act takes into account compensating people who have legitimate property ownership rights. This means under this Act no compensation is payable to landless laborers, forest land users and forest produce collectors, craftsmen and shifting hill growers.

In addition to depriving the landowner, calculating compensation based on market value conceals the numerous socio-cultural aspects of land ownership in an agrarian community. In addition to having a financial value at the moment of purchase, land supports its owner's many social, political, and psychological needs. The acquisition of a modest piece of land can empower a landless family and raise the status and prestige of that family in the local milieu. A piece of property may provide for a family for many generations, not just the ones living on it right now. Additionally, the Act solely acknowledges individual property rights and does not recognize collective land rights. As a result, this law does not address the rights of both tribal and non-tribal groups to common land. As a result, the powerful and wealthy who purchase these plots of land for development projects at the expense of the displaced people abuse the underlying grey zones that are open to many interpretations. After examining the nature of the land acquisition process critically, let's talk about the effects of displacement on the impacted populations.

Impact of Displacement

Landlessness: The primary foundation upon which people's productive systems, commercial endeavors, and lives are built is destroyed when land is expropriated. As they lose both natural and human-made capital, this is the main method by which displaced people are decapitalized and reduced to pauperism. Landlessness-related poverty can take a number of different forms: (A) the initial loss of land due to a development project; (B) the impairment of the land's productive potential in adjacent, unappropriated areas; (C) the continuing loss of the land's productive potential as a result of environmental issues; and (D) the loss of land as a result of the inability of those who are landless to access alternative lands.

Joblessness: Displacement destroys the local economy's base of resources that generate income and shatters business chances connected to regional and local economic cycles and enduring social connections of production. As a result, long after the physical relocation is complete, underemployment or chronic post-displacement unemployment persist.

Homelessness: Homelessness is the permanent or temporary loss of a home, a place to live, or a homelessness. Homelessness is a persistent problem in poorly implemented development programs. It is frequently linked to identity loss and cultural decline. In addition, the pre-displaced location's symbolic value as a locus for inter-household solidarity and a symbol of family cohesion is gone.

Marginalization: Marginalization is the transition of people and communities into a comparatively lower socioeconomic level as a result of the loss of economic power. Social and psychological marginalization go hand in hand with economic marginalization. It leads to a decline in confidence in those who have been resettled, particularly when the displaced become strangers and newcomers in the host community. Typically, host communities do not want to welcome newly resettled foreigners. This causes social and cultural clashes and rivalry for finite resources and employment opportunities. People who have been displaced are typically disadvantageous.

In addition to the macro-repercussions listed above, there are also impacts on displaced people's lives, such as those on their health, children's education, loss of access to common property, etc. This section might be appropriately concluded with the comments of a former chairperson of the Narmada Valley Development Council:

No trauma could be more painful for a family than to get uprooted from a place where it has lived for generations and to move to a place where it may be a total stranger. And nothing could be more irksome than being asked to switch over to an avocation which has not practiced before. Yet the uprooting has to be done because the land occupied by the family is required for a development project which holds promise of progress and prosperity for the country and the people in general. The family getting displaced thus makes a sacrifice for the sake of the community. It undergoes hardship and distress and faces an uncertain future so that others may live in happiness and be economically better.”

People’s Movements: Displacement No More Taken for Granted

The problems with displacement that the conflicts have raised are numerous. The impacted people no longer take relocation for granted. Their demands and struggles are not limited to the resettlement issue alone. Displacement itself is being questioned by some. They have posed several queries, such as: Why the displacement? who for? What is the goal of the public? Who determines the legitimacy of the displacement and the public purpose? Whether the assessment of the impacted population's resources, including their social, cultural, and other facets of life, might effectively recompense them. People's approval becomes a crucial component. The oustees' right to knowledge, right to participation, and a number of other rights are being defended. The new movements have improved the affected people's pre-displacement and post-displacement rights.

It is necessary to reject outright the trade-off idea that relates to people's lives and alleged benefits since it opens the door for widespread displacement. Other than under really legitimate circumstances, it should never be permitted to uproot the local population. On the basis of justice, equality, sustainability, and other aspects, the people's organizations will also investigate how resources are transformed and used, as well as their various forms.

The conflicts over relocation and displacement are so closely related to development programs and policy. The ousted individuals and their groups defended their right to scrutinize every facet of the project and to call into question it in its totality. The new movements stressed the right of the oustees to challenge the project itself that would be leaving them penniless, in contrast to the expectations of the power-holders that the oustees should only be concerned with their particular gains. More crucially, it is also being demanded that prior to conceptualizing and formulating a project, the approval of the potential oustees be obtained. All of these factors have drastically changed the conversation about relocation and displacement, turning it into one about development, relocation, and, if necessary, ideal resettlement.

Some of the significant battles and movements that have raised serious concerns about the process of development-induced displacements recently include:

Protest movements brought about the withdrawal of Rathong Chu Project (Sikkim) in 1997 and the Bedthi Project in 1998.
Kashipur movement in Orissa against the Utkal Alumina Limited owned by the Birlas.
Movement in Erasama near Paradip in Orissa is against permission given to South Korean Multi National Corporation, POSCO, to set up greenfield steel project.
Movements in Punjab are against the forcible acquisition of land for Trident Group in Barnala, for international airport in Ludhiana, and for thermal power plant at Nabha.
Movement in Manesar in Haryana is protesting Special Economic Project of Reliance Industries.
Movement in Singur in West Bengal is against small car project of Tata Group.
Movement in Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh is protesting the proposed setting up of steel plant by Tata Group.
Movement in Nandigram in West Bengal is against the acquisition of farmland for giving it for Special Economic Zone.
So far the most publicized protest movement against big dams is against Sardar Sarovar Project. In 1988 Save The Narmada Movement (Narmada Bachao Andolan) was started. This movement, under the leadership of Medha Patkar, is using Gandhian techniques like non-cooperation with project authorities, blocking of all project related work and people refusing to leave their villages.
People under the banner of Adivasi- Moolvasi Raksha Manch in Jharkhand are resisting acquisition of tribal land by Arcellor-Mittal steel conglomerate for setting up of steel plant.

The administration has paid some attention to issues of adequate resettlement and rehabilitation as a result of the significant resistance movements by the displaced people mentioned above. So let's enumerate some recommendations for development, displacement, resettlement, and rehabilitation.

Development, Displacement, and Resettlement and Rehabilitation

Speaking of a rehabilitation policy or even a resettlement and rehabilitation program is incorrect because both concepts assume displacement. We require a relocation and rehabilitation strategy (D&R, not R&R). The first thing about displacement that needs to be mentioned is that it is typically unacceptable. Even in the best-case scenario, being uprooted (a bland name for this is "displacement") is a stressful event that should be avoided if at all possible. Any D&R law or policy should begin with a clear acknowledgment of this and an unambiguous statement to this effect.

Where displacement becomes inevitable, it should be voluntary rather than being coerced. the idea put forth by individuals who want to start development projects: "free, informed prior consent." The required information must be given if permission is to be "informed." To enable them to make an informed decision about the project's desirability, the lack of viable alternatives, and the justification for the proposed relocation, the people who are likely to be affected must be taken into confidence and given the most complete information about it from the very beginning. Even the most recent version of the Land Acquisition Act should only be used to acquire land for purely public reasons. Along with a new displacement and rehabilitation policy, other legislative rules and structures also need to be changed. The Forest Conservation Act, other associated laws, and even the constitution's clauses need to be altered in order to better protect tribal members' fundamental rights. peasants, backward people, and dalits. A just resettlement and rehabilitation strategy has a framework thanks to the people's struggles across the nation. This framework's key features include the following:

Community resettlement with improved standard of life for the displaced ones; full and just resettlement would be the pre-condition for displacement; the complete master plan of the resettlement along with the project plan should entail meaningful participation of the people.
The affected persons must be the first to be benefited from the project. They should have share in the benefits from the project- in irrigation, in decisionmaking, in the profits of an industry and in the remaining resources in the vicinity of the project, viz, the fisheries, the forest and land.
Though the people's struggles do not reject totally any sort of possibility of displacement and resettlement, all the ongoing and future displacement should be considered in the light of the displacement and experiences of resettlement hitherto. The major criterion regarding resettlement should be the public purpose of the development project and the accompanying displacement. The other criteria must be the manageability of the displacement. The people's organizations have a responsibility to launch an effective, collective campaign on some of the pertinent, immediate issues.
Demand the abrogation of the existing land acquisition act and other laws related with the displacement and resettlement and evolve a new, comprehensive policy on development, displacement and resettlement. The draft policy on development, displacement and resettlement drawn in 1988 by a concerned group of representatives of organizations and experts can provide a starting point for such an endeavor.

Investigate resource mapping techniques, find alternatives to today's harmful and big initiatives, and place an emphasis on small-scale, sustainable, eco-friendly projects that give the community more control.

Summary

Large-scale development projects that require the mass relocating of people, particularly tribals, dalits, and other marginalized groups of the population, are part of India's main economic development model. Water supply—dams, reservoirs, irrigation; urban infrastructure; energy—mining, power projects, oil exploration and extraction; agricultural expansion; transportation—roads, railways, highways, canals; and parks, sanctuaries, and forest reserves are a few of these development projects that result in population displacement. As a result of the absence of the voices of the displaced people, who suffer numerous difficulties after being relocated, including landlessness, unemployment, homelessness, and marginalization, the process of acquiring land in India for these development projects has come under harsh criticism. India has seen the emergence of numerous protest movements opposing various development initiatives that contest the notion that progress results in displacement. Additionally, they support a relocation and rehabilitation program for those who have already been displaced, which is socially just and protects people's fundamental human rights.

Reference

Fernandes, W. (2004). Rehabilitation Policy for the Displaced. Economic and Political Weekly, 39(12), 1191–1193.
Harvey, D. (2003). The New Imperialism. USA: Oxford University Press.
Iyer, R. R. (2007). Towards a Just Displacement and Rehabilitation Policy. Economic and Political Weekly, 42(30), 3103–3107.
Kaushal, N. (2009). Displacement: An Undesirable and Unwanted Consequence of Development. The Indian Journal of Political Science, 70(2), 77–89.