ABSTRACT
The established law on land acquisition is loaded against landowners irrespective of their economic status or the fact that they may be exclusively dependent on land for survival. From the literature of development-induced displacement, the authors have understood the following three critical issues, which have failed the resettlement and rehabilitation efforts in the Indian context. The three issues are: faulty valuation of land, blinkered implementation, and skewed government intervention. The conception of any project starts with the Cost – Benefit Analysis. Until recently, India had no policy on resettlement and rehabilitation needed after involuntary displacement. Equity is always measured between two individuals or groups of people in terms of the difference between them or the gaps in their incomes, resource levels and quality of life. However, certain aspects still need a revision: An effective communication requires high quality, two-way communication network between those at risk and those with expertise and resources to help.
