Industrial Displacement and Financial Security of the Displaced Population at Kalinga Nagar, Odisha
Displacement could be physical (loss of residential land or shelter), or economic (loss of assets, income sources or means of livelihood), or both.
In cases of economic displacement, the level of compensation should take into account loss of earnings and earning potential.
In the process of industrial displacement, rehabilitation and resettlement, the industries are expected to involve the local people in the project activities and provide them with work opportunities.
The project authorities directly as well as through their contractors must ensure that local population gets good number of jobs.
The jobs, however, should be determined by the qualifications and experience of the person expecting to be employed.
There would also be sufficient opportunities for indirect income generating activities, which include provision of services to contractors, opening of small and medium sized market place/ shops, etc.
Hence, the rehabilitation and resettlement policy of the Odisha Government has recommended a fair participation of local people for jobs in the project.
Enhancing the local people's skills and opportunities for employment in the project would result in uplifting the standard of living and the existing quality of life of the local inhabitants.
This would go a long way in providing a self-sustaining economy and financial security of the displaced population.
Keeping this in mind, the industries have also attempted to create different livelihood opportunities at Kalinga Nagar under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme to bring greater financial security among the project-affected persons.
Assuming that displacement and rehabilitation fetches greater financial security for the displaced population, a set of questions were administered on 112 displaced persons to get a fair view on the current employment scenario and ascertain their opinion on the financial security of the displaced inhabitants at Kalinga Nagar.
The detail analysis is presented below: Percentage of respondents currently working In response to the question "Are you currently working?", 96.
4% of the respondents said that they are currently working whereas only 3.
6% said they are not.
This indicates that there is ample scope of getting a job in the area.
Present occupation of the respondents The next question was on the current occupation of the DPs.
It was seen that the present occupation of a large number of respondents is service (86.
6%), few are engaged in agriculture (7.
1%) and a very few are self-employed (1.
8%).
Period of engagement in a year Most of the respondents (87.
5%) opined that they are getting 9 to 12 months work in a year.
As in the previous analysis it was discussed that most of the respondents' present occupation is service, it is apparent that they are employed throughout the year.
It was mentioned by the respondents that they are employed by the different industries functioning in Kalinga Nagar.
Period engaged in the current job Out of the total respondents, 67.
9% have said that they are engaged in the present job for the last 3 to 5 years, 27.
7% said they are engaged in the present job for more than 5 years whereas 4.
5% are of the opinion that they are engaged in the present job for last one year.
It may be noted here that the companies started their plants in different periods and accordingly DPs were provided jobs in the respective plants at different time periods.
For example - NINL started its operation from 1997 onwards whereas TATA Steel started its operation from 2005 - 06 onwards.
Therefore, the DPs were engaged in the jobs in different periods.
Occupation of the DPs before displacement It was conversed that the main occupation of majority of the respondents was agriculture (61.
6%) and daily labourer (19.
6%).
Very few were doing company service (2.
7%) and business (3.
6%).
However, it is interesting to note here that some of the respondents were students (12.
5%) prior to displacement.
This may be due to the fact that the eligibility age limit for the boys is 18 years to become a DP and get all the benefits as a separate family.
No.
of days DPs used to work before displacement The respondents were asked about the number of days' work they used to get in a year prior to displacement.
In response to this 0.
9% said they were getting 1-3 months' work, 90.
2% said they used to get 3-6 months' work, 5.
4% said they were getting 6-9 months' work and very few respondents said they were getting 9-12 months' work.
Annual income before displacement Most of the respondents (92%) said their annual income before displacement was below Rs.
30000/- (29.
5% said the income was less than equal to 10000, 36.
6% said it was within 10000-20000 and 25.
9% said it was within 20000-30000).
A very few said that the income was within 30000 - 50000 (3.
6%) whereas some (4.
5%) opined that it was more than Rs.
50000/- prior to displacement.
Availability of employment opportunities due to industries It was appreciated by a huge number of the respondents (90.
2%) that due to industries they have found more employment opportunities.
In contrary a very few (9.
8%) had a negative response on the same.
Nature of work opportunities due to industries Respondents who gave their positive nod (90.
2%) on the point that after the industries were established there is more work opportunities were asked to elaborate their views.
79.
5% said they found new jobs in the industries and 10.
7% said they were able to be self-employed by establishing their own business.
Income of the DPs after resettlement It was expressed by 81.
3% respondents that their annual income after resettlement has become more than Rs.
50000/-, 3.
6% of the respondents said the annual income is between Rs.
40000 to Rs.
50000, 2.
7% opined that it is between 30000 to 40000, 11.
6% said their current annual income is between 20000 to 30000 and only 0.
9% said it is less than Rs.
10000/-.
Financial status of the DPs after resettlement Most of the respondents (86.
6%) said there is improvement in their financial situation after displacement; few (6.
3%) were of the opinion that it has remained same and few (7.
1%) said the situation has deteriorated after the displacement.
Savings status of the DPs after resettlement Most of the respondents (87.
5%) were of the opinion that there is increase in their savings situation after displacement; some (8.
9%) were of the opinion that it has remained same and very few (3.
6%) said the savings has decreased after the displacement.
Affordability for day to day expenses of the DPs after resettlement Most of the respondents (87.
5%) were of the opinion that there is increased affordability in their day to day expenses after displacement; some (8.
9%) were of the opinion that it has remained same and very few (3.
6%) said the affordability has decreased after the displacement.
Affordability for expenses towards entertainment purposes of the DPs after resettlement Most of the respondents (82.
1%) were of the opinion that there is increase in their capacity to afford for entertainment purposes after displacement; some (14.
3%) were of the opinion that it has remained same and very few (3.
6%) said that it has decreased after the displacement.
Conclusion It may be noted that, after the industries are operational in the Kalinga Nagar area, the job opportunities have increased and most of the people are getting engaged for round the year in regular services.
It may be observed from the discussions above that most of the respondents have consistently said that the income, financial situation, saving situation and affordability to both day to day expenses as well as for entertainment purposes have increased.
It indicates that the compensation paid to the DPs, the various initiatives taken by the industries for the economic upliftment of the people and the various avenues created by the industries in the periphery have to a large extent fetched financial security for the project affected people.
In cases of economic displacement, the level of compensation should take into account loss of earnings and earning potential.
In the process of industrial displacement, rehabilitation and resettlement, the industries are expected to involve the local people in the project activities and provide them with work opportunities.
The project authorities directly as well as through their contractors must ensure that local population gets good number of jobs.
The jobs, however, should be determined by the qualifications and experience of the person expecting to be employed.
There would also be sufficient opportunities for indirect income generating activities, which include provision of services to contractors, opening of small and medium sized market place/ shops, etc.
Hence, the rehabilitation and resettlement policy of the Odisha Government has recommended a fair participation of local people for jobs in the project.
Enhancing the local people's skills and opportunities for employment in the project would result in uplifting the standard of living and the existing quality of life of the local inhabitants.
This would go a long way in providing a self-sustaining economy and financial security of the displaced population.
Keeping this in mind, the industries have also attempted to create different livelihood opportunities at Kalinga Nagar under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme to bring greater financial security among the project-affected persons.
Assuming that displacement and rehabilitation fetches greater financial security for the displaced population, a set of questions were administered on 112 displaced persons to get a fair view on the current employment scenario and ascertain their opinion on the financial security of the displaced inhabitants at Kalinga Nagar.
The detail analysis is presented below: Percentage of respondents currently working In response to the question "Are you currently working?", 96.
4% of the respondents said that they are currently working whereas only 3.
6% said they are not.
This indicates that there is ample scope of getting a job in the area.
Present occupation of the respondents The next question was on the current occupation of the DPs.
It was seen that the present occupation of a large number of respondents is service (86.
6%), few are engaged in agriculture (7.
1%) and a very few are self-employed (1.
8%).
Period of engagement in a year Most of the respondents (87.
5%) opined that they are getting 9 to 12 months work in a year.
As in the previous analysis it was discussed that most of the respondents' present occupation is service, it is apparent that they are employed throughout the year.
It was mentioned by the respondents that they are employed by the different industries functioning in Kalinga Nagar.
Period engaged in the current job Out of the total respondents, 67.
9% have said that they are engaged in the present job for the last 3 to 5 years, 27.
7% said they are engaged in the present job for more than 5 years whereas 4.
5% are of the opinion that they are engaged in the present job for last one year.
It may be noted here that the companies started their plants in different periods and accordingly DPs were provided jobs in the respective plants at different time periods.
For example - NINL started its operation from 1997 onwards whereas TATA Steel started its operation from 2005 - 06 onwards.
Therefore, the DPs were engaged in the jobs in different periods.
Occupation of the DPs before displacement It was conversed that the main occupation of majority of the respondents was agriculture (61.
6%) and daily labourer (19.
6%).
Very few were doing company service (2.
7%) and business (3.
6%).
However, it is interesting to note here that some of the respondents were students (12.
5%) prior to displacement.
This may be due to the fact that the eligibility age limit for the boys is 18 years to become a DP and get all the benefits as a separate family.
No.
of days DPs used to work before displacement The respondents were asked about the number of days' work they used to get in a year prior to displacement.
In response to this 0.
9% said they were getting 1-3 months' work, 90.
2% said they used to get 3-6 months' work, 5.
4% said they were getting 6-9 months' work and very few respondents said they were getting 9-12 months' work.
Annual income before displacement Most of the respondents (92%) said their annual income before displacement was below Rs.
30000/- (29.
5% said the income was less than equal to 10000, 36.
6% said it was within 10000-20000 and 25.
9% said it was within 20000-30000).
A very few said that the income was within 30000 - 50000 (3.
6%) whereas some (4.
5%) opined that it was more than Rs.
50000/- prior to displacement.
Availability of employment opportunities due to industries It was appreciated by a huge number of the respondents (90.
2%) that due to industries they have found more employment opportunities.
In contrary a very few (9.
8%) had a negative response on the same.
Nature of work opportunities due to industries Respondents who gave their positive nod (90.
2%) on the point that after the industries were established there is more work opportunities were asked to elaborate their views.
79.
5% said they found new jobs in the industries and 10.
7% said they were able to be self-employed by establishing their own business.
Income of the DPs after resettlement It was expressed by 81.
3% respondents that their annual income after resettlement has become more than Rs.
50000/-, 3.
6% of the respondents said the annual income is between Rs.
40000 to Rs.
50000, 2.
7% opined that it is between 30000 to 40000, 11.
6% said their current annual income is between 20000 to 30000 and only 0.
9% said it is less than Rs.
10000/-.
Financial status of the DPs after resettlement Most of the respondents (86.
6%) said there is improvement in their financial situation after displacement; few (6.
3%) were of the opinion that it has remained same and few (7.
1%) said the situation has deteriorated after the displacement.
Savings status of the DPs after resettlement Most of the respondents (87.
5%) were of the opinion that there is increase in their savings situation after displacement; some (8.
9%) were of the opinion that it has remained same and very few (3.
6%) said the savings has decreased after the displacement.
Affordability for day to day expenses of the DPs after resettlement Most of the respondents (87.
5%) were of the opinion that there is increased affordability in their day to day expenses after displacement; some (8.
9%) were of the opinion that it has remained same and very few (3.
6%) said the affordability has decreased after the displacement.
Affordability for expenses towards entertainment purposes of the DPs after resettlement Most of the respondents (82.
1%) were of the opinion that there is increase in their capacity to afford for entertainment purposes after displacement; some (14.
3%) were of the opinion that it has remained same and very few (3.
6%) said that it has decreased after the displacement.
Conclusion It may be noted that, after the industries are operational in the Kalinga Nagar area, the job opportunities have increased and most of the people are getting engaged for round the year in regular services.
It may be observed from the discussions above that most of the respondents have consistently said that the income, financial situation, saving situation and affordability to both day to day expenses as well as for entertainment purposes have increased.
It indicates that the compensation paid to the DPs, the various initiatives taken by the industries for the economic upliftment of the people and the various avenues created by the industries in the periphery have to a large extent fetched financial security for the project affected people.
Source...