Compensation in urban areas is – market value as per government records, usually multiplied by two or three times and in rural areas by even four. Additional interest of about 12 percent on market value from the date of notification to date of payment may also be made. At times due to the compelling nature of the acquisition a further compensation of an additional even 100 percent of the Registered market value can be considered. Compensation should be guided by equality and equity, in a transparent manner and paid out within a reasonable time, say three months. Hence, compensation for the loss of Land / Rights can be given to those affected as follows:

1. Payment of cost of Land at the official registration rates rate applicable as above, or preferably even at a 200 percent to 300 percent or higher rate as deemed appropriate, to allow for conditions where the real market rates may be higher.
2. Offer of Employment (after training as may be necessary), in the Venture, to as many of those affected as possible.
3. Resettlement of those affected as may be necessary, especially for Tribals / Adivasis into properly selected and sited ‘Nodal Villages’.
4. Additional compensation by the Venture Companies, by allotting a share say, between 5-20 percent as appropriate, in that Venture to a Cooperative I Association I Trust of the Tribals / Adivasis / Locals affected. Such an organization can be run by professionals appointed by the members elected as the Directors of the Organization by all their members. Nominees of the Government and from relevant NGOs on the Board of such an organization will ensure against exploitation and allow for proper functioning of the Organization.

This will eliminate the problem and heartburn caused by escalation of the land values due to the Venture itself or due to the roads that pass through. Such a share could be in the form of Preference shares with option to convert or redeem, say after 5-20 years, allowing for annual interest / dividends and also, a lump sum amount to be distributed then amongst all the shareholders of the Organization (Cooperative / Association / Trust) and thus also, ensuring their continued interest in the well-being of the Venture.

The Adivasis / Tribals / Locals should be given shares, in that Organization (Cooperative / Association / Trust), proportionate to the Land / Rights surrendered by them. The Shares in such organizations can be locked in for a period of say 5-7 years if part of an Extractive Industries Ventures (Mining, Forestry etc.) or, say 7-10 years if part of other types of Industries / Businesses / Infrastructure / Power projects. This will not only give them an interest in the Venture, but will also, prevent takeover of their shares by exploiters and will also, allow time for the Venture to become commercially viable and dividend paying.

Allowing the shares in the Venture itself to be held by such a single organization or entity, (Cooperative/ Association/ Trust), and making all the Adivasis / Tribals/ Locals, who have surrendered their Lands / Rights to the Venture, shareholders therein will ensure that each of them has a proportionate say and interest in that Organization. The Venture Company also, would have the advantage of dealing with only a single professionally managed Shareholder on behalf of all such Adivasis / Tribals / Locals.

Of course, it should also, be made legally binding for such Corporate Ventures to ensure that they do not cause environmental pollution outside their area of operation and even there, finally leave the area at least as good as, if not better, than when they commenced operations. Appropriate Bank guarantees or an extra cess on revenues can be collected to ensure compliance, which can be refundable after compliance.

In under Developed/ Forested and Naxal infested areas, it may also, be found to be more economical to resettle the Tribals / Adivasis / Locals into properly located Nodal Villages, which will have the advantage of providing an opportunity to educate, empower and bring them into the main stream in such a manner wherein they have some choice about it all. The process of resettlement will, to a great extent, reduce the incidents of any Human rights abuses, and mistaken identity casualties and also, allow for development activities simultaneously with any Anti-hostiles/ Anti-Insurgents action as necessary in that area.

Such nodal resettlement villages should be sited bearing the Geographic and Economic factors in mind, convenience of connectivity can follow. The villages along with the economically useful area around them could be made functional on the lines of the Cantonments (we can also, learn from the experience of the USA, Canada and Australia in the measures taken by them for Indian / Aboriginal resettlement while avoiding their mistakes). Each of the villages could have a Board of local elected Members of the Community, an Executive Officer from the Central Forests/ Tribal Department (from the Ministry of Forests & Environment) and a Chairman from the respective State Administration.

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