The Ken-Betwa river-link project has come under scrutiny after the Congress alleged irregularities in rehabilitation, gram sabha proceedings, compensation payments, and police action in affected villages of Madhya Pradesh. The allegations matter because large water-infrastructure projects often create displacement, require local consent processes, and depend on clean rehabilitation and compensation systems.
What happened
The Congress has alleged serious irregularities in the rehabilitation process and in gram sabha proceedings in 14 villages affected by the Ken-Betwa river-link project. Opposition leader Umang Singhar has said villagers were assaulted by police in Chhatarpur district and that police intimidated protesters and filed cases against more than 250 tribal villagers.
Singhar has also alleged corruption worth crores in compensation distribution and contract awards. He said documents indicate around ₹8 crore was paid to people with no link to Kharihani village or to people who had left decades ago, and he claimed that more than 500 cases of fake compensation may exist.
Why the issue is important
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