The Department of Revenue, Government of Goa, has restructured the Expert Committee tasked with evaluating Social Impact Assessment (SIA) reports under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. This initiative is aimed at strengthening the review process to ensure that the concerns of affected communities are effectively addressed before any land acquisition for public purposes.
The reconstituted committee will be chaired by Dr. Rahul Tripathi, a noted academic from Goa University, highlighting the government's focus on impartiality and subject expertise. The seven-member panel brings together a multidisciplinary team, including experts from academia, local governance, the Indian Navy, and senior government departments. This diverse composition is designed to offer a wide range of perspectives in reviewing the social, economic, and cultural implications of proposed projects.
The committee’s key responsibility is to examine SIA reports submitted by project developers or independent agencies. These reports assess the potential impacts of land acquisition on local communities, livelihoods, and the environment. The committee evaluates their thoroughness, transparency, and inclusivity, and may recommend additional consultations or mitigation strategies in line with legal requirements. Its findings play a pivotal role in determining whether a project should proceed, be modified, or halted.
By reconstituting this committee with a blend of technical expertise and stakeholder representation, the Goa government aims to ensure a more credible, transparent, and effective SIA process—upholding the core principles of the 2013 Act, which seeks to balance development goals with social justice.