CAG report finds West Bengal government failed to protect tribal interests in land acquisition
A Comptroller and Auditor General report has identified failures by the West Bengal government in safeguarding the interests of tribal communities during land acquisition for mining projects. The audit, which examined 66 cases between 2017 and 2022, found that inadequate compensation was paid to affected individuals due to the inaction of district level officials. The findings highlight a significant discrepancy between the total value of land acquired and the compensation actually distributed to tribal landowners.
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What Happened
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India released an audit report detailing failures in land management within tribal areas of West Bengal. The report examined 66 land acquisition cases conducted between the 2017-18 and 2021-22 fiscal years involving Eastern Coalfields Limited and Bharat Coking Coal Limited. Auditors concluded that the state government failed to protect the interests of tribal populations, resulting in a situation where land valued at 17.79 crore rupees saw only 2.55 crore rupees paid out in compensation.
The report attributes these shortcomings to the non-involvement and inaction of district level functionaries, including revenue officers and district collectors. This administrative failure prevented tribal landowners from receiving their rightful compensation during the acquisition process for various mining projects. The audit highlights systemic issues in how land management and rehabilitation were handled during the period under review.
Key Facts
- The CAG audit covered 66 land acquisition cases between 2017-18 and 2021-22.
- Land valued at 17.79 crore rupees resulted in 2.55 crore rupees of compensation payments.
- The report cites inaction by district level functionaries such as revenue officers and collectors.
- The audit involved land acquired for Eastern Coalfields Limited and Bharat Coking Coal Limited projects.
- The findings indicate a failure to safeguard tribal interests during the land acquisition process.
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6 Aug
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