Punjab Irrigation Department and Sarhad Hydel Development Organisation (Shydo) have prepared Resettlement Framework (RF) for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to guide the preparation of RPs of subprojects, under future tranches, that may have resettlement impacts.
According to resettlement framework, the RF identifies the broad scope of the investment programme and outlines the policy, procedures and institutional requirements that will be followed in preparing RPs.
The EAs of the investment programme will be the provincial governments and the IAs for the first tranche will be Sarhad Hydel Development Organisation (Shydo) in NWFP, and the irrigation and power department (IPD) in Punjab. For the subsequent tranches the EAs will be the provincial governments where the subprojects will be implemented. IAs are yet to be identified.
Under the new resettlement framework, the project management units (PMUs) will be responsible for formulating RPs for subprojects with resettlement impacts, as outlined in RF. The draft RPs will be submitted to ADB for review and approval prior to contract award, and compensation will be paid to all affected persons (APs) before the commencement of civil works of any subproject.
The proposed Renewable Energy Development Sector Investment Programme Loans will follow the multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) lending approach. The first tranche will cover three components, namely, clean energy development, feasibility studies and capacity development. The implementation period of the overall Renewable Energy Development Sector Investment Programme (Redsip) is estimated to be ten years.
The resettlement framework will be used as the broad framework within which resettlement plans for subprojects with resettlement impacts will be formulated. The subprojects that will be implemented during the first tranche of the Redsip will also closely follow the resettlement principles, entitlements of affected persons (APs), institutional framework and monitoring and evaluation of resettlement implementation.
The Clean Energy Development Programme includes the expansion of small hydro-power generating capacity by constructing 3 grid-connected power plants, each ranging from 2.6 MW to 36 MW in the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP).
This component will also include the construction of 5 small to medium hydropower stations in Punjab province and consulting services for detailed design as well as implementation of Clean Energy Development Programme.
Eight feasibility studies will undertake studies of raw sites in both NWFP and Punjab. Capacity development programme will support (i) training and capacity development of project-related agencies in operating and maintaining new hydropower stations; (ii) external monitoring of safeguards; and (iii) various other financial management and human resource development activities within EAs and IAs.
According to official sources, the subprojects under the first tranche are: (i) Daral Khwar Hydropower in NWFP (ii) Ranolia Khwar Hydropower and (iii) Machai Canal Hydropower in Punjab (a) Chiannawaii Hydropower (b) Deg Fall Sheikhupura Hydropower, (c) Pakpattan Canal Hydropower, (d) Okara Hydropower and (e) Marala Canal Hydropower. During implementation, under part-B, additional subprojects will be appraised by executing agencies (EAs and provincial governments, which are not EAs under the first tranche), and will be reviewed and endorsed by ADB in accordance with the established project administration procedures.
Land acquisition and resettlement impacts of proposed subprojects under the first tranche have been examined. According to survey, projects will require permanent acquisition of 11.78 hectares (ha) in NWFP, and temporary acquisition of 0.85 ha of 0.45 in NWFP, and 3.2 in Punjab. Land acquisition will affect 61 households, and 2 residential structures.
Each subproject's RP will be prepared and implemented in close consultation with all project stakeholders, particularly APs, through focus group discussions, socio-economic surveys, and stakeholder consultation meetings. Each RP will be made available in local language(s) during focus group discussions and stakeholder meetings at the village/community level to ensure that inputs from all stakeholders are taken into consideration in formulating RP. Female-headed households will be consulted by female fieldworkers. A resettlement information leaflet containing information on compensation and resettlement options will be made available in local language(s) and distributed to all APs of the subproject.
The PMU through its ESDC and the PMUs will conduct consultations in affected villages to explain RP in coordination with village/community leaders. Each AP will be provided information regarding specific entitlements. Disputes on entitlements are to be forwarded to PMUs for appropriate action. The summary RP will be disclosed on the ADB resettlement web site, and information dissemination and consultation will continue throughout project implementation phase.
Official sources disclosed that a grievance redress committee (GRC) will be formed to ensure that APs' grievances are addressed and appropriate actions are taken to resolve them. The committee members of a GRC will include AP representatives especially representatives of vulnerable APs, local-level IA/PMU staff, local governments, respected citizens in diverse professions, NGOs, CBOs, and local civil and interest groups. The head of a locally elected body will head the GRC. The GRC will meet every two weeks especially during land acquisition and resettlement phase. After that, it will meet as and when grievances are referred to it to redress. The main responsibilities of the GRC are to: (i) provide help APs in resolving issues arising from land/property acquisition processes; (ii) record APs' grievances, categorise, and prioritise them and resolve them; (iii) immediately inform the PMU of serious issues and problems; and (iv) to inform APs of the decisions of GRC and PMU.
Each GRC will review grievances involving all resettlement benefits, compensation, relocation, and other assistance. Detailed investigation will be undertaken which may involve field investigation with the concerned APs. Grievances will be redressed within 2-3 weeks from the date of lodging the complaints. The GRCs will continue to function during the life of the project including the defects liability period.
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