SJVN is an ISO 9001:2000 company of the State executing Hydro Electric Project Projects. It commissioned one of the most environment friendly Hydro Power Projects with no submergence of human habitation. SJVN believes that construction of Hydroelectric Power Project is a sine qua non for planned economic development. At the same time our project authority is sensitive to painful involuntary relocation of displaced persons and endeavours to minimize the trauma of displacement.

The Philosophy of SJVN to address the social impact of projects on the society is focused on the fundamental questions of the right to survival and the right to live with dignity in respect of the people who are deprived of shelter and livelihood in the interest of the State. The mitigatory measures prescribe reconstruction and regeneration of battered economies of displaced people in the affected zones of project. These measures provide answers to vital issues like quality and fairness in the matter of distribution of compensation and benefits to PAFs and to local communities in project vicinity. All these mitigatory measures are in tune with various initiatives of the government for upliftment of people and reflect the social ideals of SJVN and its commitment towards society.

The Socio-economic baseline survey of RHEP was done by an independent external agency which carried out a number of consultations with project-affected people, project officials, state govt. officials and other stakeholders. The requirements of PAFs were considered during the various public hearings and field visits. Preliminary resettlement options based on social survey were elicited during various meetings in affected villages and with local government. List of feasible options for entitlement packages, resettlement sites, income restoration measures have been drawn in consultation with host communities and other stakeholders. Public information cell has been set up at the project to enable dissemination of information on project and R&R related issues. All documents pertaining to resettlement action plan, environmental management plan and the like are made available in local and district libraries which are accessible to the general public. Local people around the projects are clarified doubts pertaining to R&R measures through video conferencing.

SJVN have so far acquired 14.39 ha. out of 29.287 ha. of private land to create its facilities & infrastructure and other project proponents. This acquisition of private land would affect 141 families from 6 villages. Efforts were made to minimize the adverse affect on the families and on the environment, such as, sites selection for construction, infrastructure and other facilities were done in consultation with the local owners of private land that finally resulted in minimal acquisition of private land. During the design stage, extra care was taken by consulting the village heads and representatives, thereby avoiding any impact on religious structures and public property. Local populace participated in several discussions while determining the layout of the project so as to have least impact on major human settlements as a result of which only 15 families have been displaced out of 141 affected families. The choice of resettlement sites has been determined by mutual consent between the project authority and displaced families. All displaced households are being resettled at a place which is near to their original house. The resettlement implementation plan has been evolved with the active participation of affected families as well as the local administration and state government.

The resettlement action plan inter alia comprises of infrastructural development works which are decided by the PRIs and executed by the project authority as per the requirements of the local communities. The majority of the grievance redressal committee comprises of representatives from local bodies to resolve R&R issues from time to time.

The Sustainable Community Development Programme has been envisaged for displaced persons to enable them to improve their productivity level, earning capacity and standard of living.

Besides fulfilling the legally mandated obligations SJVN as a good corporate citizen undertakes the following ethical responsibilities to mitigate the social impact of the project on local communities:

1. Special care in education and health.
2. Visible changes in infrastructure
3. Encouragement of sports and culture
4. Promotion of Entrepreneurship.
5. Provision of civic amenities in local areas
6. Actively improving the social environment
7. Promotion of community projects.
8. Shared economic prosperity.

In order to fulfill the above responsibilities the following mitigatory measures have been undertaken by RHEP:

Rehabilitation Measures

1. All 202 landowners have been provided compensation for their acquired land and houses.
2. Rehabilitation package for 35 landless families have been deposited with DC Kullu for disbursement.
3. Landless PAFs are provided rehabilitation grant ranging from Rs. 45,000/- to Rs. 65,000/-
4. Houseless families are provided a built up house or plot and financial assistance for construction of their houses.
5. 15 houseless families have been provided house plots and cash assistance for construction of alternate house.
6. 145 members of the PAFs have been provided employment with various contractors.
7. 24 contractors from PAFs have been provided petty contract.
8. Displaced Shopkeepers are provided shop in Market Complex of SJVN or financial assistance of Rs. 40,000/- to restart their business.
9. Project Affected Families are provided financial assistance to start a business for self-employment.
10. Petty contract are provided to the contractors from PAFs
11. Contractors are advised to provide the job under unskilled category to the PAFs.
12. Light vehicles are hired from PAFs.
13. Awareness camps are organized in the affected villages to support the farmers in their farm practices.

Community Development Works

1. Mobile Health Van is regularly visiting in the projected affected area for providing free medical services / medicines to the local residents.
2. The wards of affected families are provided a scholarship for pursing technical courses like ITI, Diploma in Engg., Engg./Med. Courses.
3. 70 students have been sponsored for Technical Education in ITI.
4. Schools situated in Project affected villages are provided infrastructural facilities like furniture, teaching aid, sports item etc.
5. 49 schools of the area have been provided financial assistance of Rs. 2.65 lacs towards 1st Installment under Infrastrurctural Scheme for schools
6. For promotion of sports and production of the cultural heritage in the affected area, SJVN provides assistance to the local institutions.

Infrastructural Development Works

1. SJVN provides many infrastructural facilities like village paths, class rooms and playgrounds for schools, street lighting etc. in the affected villages with a recurring annual budget plan. A budget of Rs. 2.5 crores per year is allocated amongst affected panchayats during the construction stage of the project and Rs. 75 lacs to Rs. 1.5 crores per year during O&M stage of the project.
2. Financial assistance of Rs. 8 crores to HP Govt. for construction of HRTC Bus stand at Rampur.
3. Financial assistance of Rs. 1 crore for construction of Govt. Sr. Sec. School at Rampur.
4. Financial assistance of Rs. 1.5 crores  to HP Govt. for construction of Steel Truss Bridge across the river Satluj near Rampur.
5. Widening of road from Wazir Bowari to village Bayal at the cost of Rs. 2 crores.
6. SJVN provides assistance to State Govt. to provide clean drinking water facility in affected village.

Old bridge	New bridge constructed by RHEP

To ensure timely disbursement of the R&R entitlements to the eligible families in equitable and just manner, the R&R activities are periodically monitored by an independent external agency. During implementation of the R&R works, external and independent evaluation is done to assess the impact of R&R activities on the PAFs and local communities.