Campbell Bay: While reiterating its support for the proposed Greenfield International Airport in Great Nicobar, the Dependents and Ex-Servicemen Forum for Equitable Negotiation, Compensation & Entitlements (DEF-GNI) has urged the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to ensure that land acquisition for the strategic project is accompanied by a rehabilitation and compensation package that adequately reflects the extraordinary sacrifices and repeated displacement faced by Ex-Servicemen Settler Families over the past six decades.The DEF-GNI) has in the meantime submitted a comprehensive representation to the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Secretary and Deputy Commissioner of Nicobar District, seeking a substantially enhanced compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement package for Ex-Servicemen Settler Families whose lands are proposed to be acquired for the Greenfield International Airport under the Great Nicobar Infrastructure (GNI) Project.
In the representation, signed by DEF-GNI President E.S. Rajesh, the forum reaffirmed its support for the proposed airport, describing it as a strategically significant national project that would strengthen connectivity, national security and the country’s long-term developmental interests. At the same time, it maintained that the affected settler families should receive a fair and equitable rehabilitation package that safeguards their rights, dignity, livelihoods and future security.
The forum referred to the meeting convened by the Assistant Commissioner, Campbell Bay, on June 3, 2026, during which the proposed Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Scheme for project-affected families was discussed. According to the representation, the Administration informed participants that it had proposed to substantially enhance the benefits available under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act), including increasing residential plot allotments from 50 square metres to 500 square metres. However, the proposed dwelling units would have a built-up area of only 30 square metres.
While acknowledging these improvements over the statutory provisions, DEF-GNI stated that the proposed package remains inadequate considering the unique history of the Ex-Servicemen Settler community. It pointed out that these families were originally rehabilitated in Great Nicobar by the Government after serving the nation in the Armed Forces and have undergone repeated displacement over the decades, including relocation following the devastating 2004 tsunami. The present land acquisition, the forum said, would amount to the fourth displacement of many of these families.
Highlighting what it termed as the need for a “special rehabilitation package”, the forum has sought allotment of developed land equivalent to 20 per cent of the land acquired from each affected family, citing provisions relating to urbanisation under the RFCTLARR Act. It has also demanded independent residential plots measuring at least 1,000 square metres for every adult family member aged 18 years and above, instead of the proposed 500-square-metre allotment.
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The representation further objected to the reported proposal of limiting rehabilitation benefits only to persons whose names appear on the electoral rolls of Great Nicobar. The forum argued that many young members of Ex-Servicemen Settler Families are pursuing higher education or employment outside the island due to limited local opportunities and should not be deprived of their rehabilitation entitlements. It has therefore sought extension of all rehabilitation and resettlement benefits to every adult member of affected families, irrespective of electoral status.
Seeking enhanced financial safeguards, DEF-GNI has urged the Administration to provide rehabilitation and resettlement benefits equivalent to five times those prescribed under the RFCTLARR Act, considering the complete displacement of an entire settler community. It has also sought either a lump-sum financial assistance of ₹25 lakh for those not opting for employment or an annuity five times higher than the standard provisions. The forum has also called for a written and legally enforceable assurance of permanent employment in Government Departments or Public Sector Undertakings for eligible dependents before completion of the acquisition process. It stated that experiences from similar infrastructure projects elsewhere in the country have shown that verbal assurances on employment often remain unfulfilled.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the proposal to construct 30-square-metre dwelling units, the forum has instead demanded separate houses of at least 120 square metres for every adult family member, incorporating island-appropriate designs with adequate living space and modern amenities. It has further sought houses valued at not less than ₹1.5 crore, compared to the estimated construction cost of around ₹35 lakh reportedly indicated during the meeting.
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Among its other demands, DEF-GNI has sought compensation for plantation crops such as coconut and arecanut at rates earlier proposed by the community, land compensation at ₹1 crore per acre irrespective of prevailing circle rates, and adequate financial assistance for reconstruction of dairy, goat and poultry sheds to enable affected families to continue their traditional livelihoods.
Urging the Administration to recognise the repeated sacrifices made by Ex-Servicemen Settler Families in the national interest, the forum appealed for a rehabilitation package commensurate with their exceptional circumstances. While expressing hope for an amicable and mutually acceptable settlement through dialogue, DEF-GNI stated that, if its demands are not adequately addressed, it reserves the right to pursue appropriate legal remedies and undertake peaceful and democratic protests in accordance with law.
