GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO.368

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2018

REHABILITATION OF FAMILIES

*368. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) the steps taken by the Government to rehabilitate the 400

families that were displaced due to the creation of the Vikram

Sarabhai Space Centre;

(b) whether ISRO had promised to recommend special recruitment

of local people or provide alternative housing facilities;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether these promises have been acted upon; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG &

PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY TO

STARRED QUESTION NO.368 REGARDING “REHABILITATION OF

FAMILIES” ASKED BY DR. SHASHI THAROOR FOR ANSWER ON

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2018.

(a) Rehabilitation is a subject matter of State, but ISRO has made

ex-gratia payment to Kerala State Government as per

procedure, for rehabilitation of the displaced families.

(b) ISRO has not promised any special recruitment and housing

facility is a subject matter of State.

(c) Does not arise.

(d) ISRO has acted upon the commitment made.

(e) ISRO has acted upon its responsibilities by means of

compensation and ex-gratia payment done through State and

offered preferential consideration upto 3rd generation for the

evicted families.

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Relevance

When the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre was established, many of families in Thiruvananthapuram were displaced and their livelihood affected. The ISRO had promised to give one person per displaced family a job, for the next three generations. The PMO claims the commitments have been fulfilled, even though many of those affected, still have not been provided jobs.