There are certain media reports which have claimed that symbolic protests such as “Chita Andolan”, “Fansi Pradarshan” and “Jal Satyagraha” are being organized in certain areas of Madhya Pradesh against the Ken–Betwa Link Project, alleging displacement of tribal families without compensation.

The allegations that affected families have not been compensated or rehabilitated are incorrect and misleading. Most eligible families have received full compensation and rehabilitation benefits, and only procedural formalities remain in a few cases. The Government of India, Government of Madhya Pradesh, and the Ken–Betwa Link Project Authority remain fully committed to ensuring transparent, just, and time-bound compensation and dignified rehabilitation for all genuinely affected families.

The fact of the matter is that the Ken–Betwa Link Project, India’s first major river-linking initiative under the National Perspective Plan, aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River to the Betwa River to provide irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydropower benefits to the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

The project will ensure irrigation for 10.62 lakh hectares, drinking water for nearly 62 lakh people, and 103 MW of hydropower generation. Of the total estimated cost of ₹44,604.99 crore, ₹12,445.85 crore has been spent up to July 2026. The project is being implemented by the Ken–Betwa Link Project Authority.

Land acquisition, rehabilitation, and resettlement activities are being carried out strictly in accordance with the RFCTLARR Act, 2013, and the Special Rehabilitation Package approved by the Government of Madhya Pradesh on 13 September 2023. Compensation for acquired land is being provided either as per the Act or at ₹12.50 lakh per hectare, whichever is higher. Compensation for houses, trees, wells, tube wells, and other immovable assets has been determined as per statutory provisions.

Eligible families are being provided ₹7 lakh for rural plots and ₹6.50 lakh for urban plots, while those opting out of plots receive ₹12.50 lakh as one-time assistance. Additional financial support is being extended to eligible Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families in Scheduled Areas to ensure a fair and balanced rehabilitation process.

It is also stated that as of July 2026, awards amounting to ₹360.66 crore have been passed for 10,913 affected persons (agricultural land compensation), of which ₹320.45 crore (88.85%) has already been disbursed. For habitation areas (house related properties), ₹149.63 crore has been awarded, with 93.97% disbursed. A total of 5,039 affected families to be rehabilitated have been identified, with awards of ₹629.87 crore, out of which ₹590.74 crore (93.78%) has been paid. Remaining payments will be made upon completion of legal formalities. Continuous verification of land records is being undertaken to ensure that no eligible family is deprived of benefits.

Under the Jan Vishwas programme, the district administration recently organized a special camp at Karaondia to address issues of displaced families. Approvals were granted for applications related to animal husbandry, social security, poverty line, Ladli Behna and Ladli Lakshmi schemes. Health services were provided to 178 persons, AYUSH medicines were distributed, handpumps were repaired, and scholarship mapping and book distribution were conducted for students. In the last ten days alone, ₹10.42 crore has been sanctioned to 86 affected persons.

These facts clearly demonstrate that the protests highlighted in the media are misleading, and names of individuals participating in recent protests do not appear in the list of project-affected families, land records, or compensation registers. These activities are largely being conducted by external elements with the intent to circulate misleading and factually incorrect narratives regarding the project.

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