Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Yadav Orders Fair Rehabilitation for Ken-Betwa Project Families
The Ken-Betwa project will move river water to help the Bundelkhand region.
Some families may have to relocate because of the project.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav told officials to visit these families at home and listen to their problems.
He said eligible families should receive compensation, rehabilitation help and government benefits.
New settlement areas should have schools, childcare centres, healthcare facilities and community halls.
Officials were also asked to hold public meetings to explain the project.
The government says the project will improve irrigation and drinking-water supplies and produce energy.
The articles give different figures for the planned irrigation increase and different information about when the project will be completed.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered door-to-door visits in villages affected by the Ken-Betwa river-linking project.
Officials must resolve genuine grievances, deliver eligible government benefits and ensure compensation and rehabilitation for displaced families.
A total of 5,039 families in Panna and Chhatarpur are affected; officials said all opted for the special rehabilitation package.
Yadav directed plans for schools, Anganwadi centres, healthcare facilities and community halls at rehabilitation sites.
The project is projected to expand irrigation, provide drinking water and generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power, though articles differ on its irrigation estimate and completion date.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, state and district officials, and families affected in Panna and Chhatarpur.
- What
- Officials were ordered to conduct household visits and address compensation, rehabilitation, documentation and basic-service concerns linked to the Ken-Betwa River Linking National Project.
- When
- On Friday; one article says the project foundation stone was laid in December 2024, while another gives a completion date of 2023.
- Where
- The review meeting was held at the Maharaja Chhatrasal Convention Centre in Khajuraho; affected villages are in Panna and Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- To resolve grievances among displaced families and explain the project’s expected irrigation, drinking-water and energy benefits.
Government position
Affected residents’ concerns
Rehabilitation and compensation
Government position
The government says it will hear genuine grievances, visit every affected household, deliver eligible benefits and provide fair rehabilitation and compensation.
Affected residents’ concerns
The articles report allegations that some villagers facing displacement were denied rehabilitation packages and say families have concerns requiring investigation and resolution.
Project benefits and criticism
Government position
Yadav describes the project as nationally important and says it will transform Bundelkhand through better irrigation, drinking-water access and energy generation.
Affected residents’ concerns
The articles say some people are attempting to mislead residents or defame the project, but they do not provide those critics’ detailed arguments.
- Affected families
- 5,039 families in Panna and Chhatarpur
- Families by district
- 1,321 in Panna and 3,718 in Chhatarpur
- Rehabilitation package
- Officials said all affected families opted for the special rehabilitation and resettlement package
- Irrigation projection
- About 8.11 lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh in one article; 11 lakh hectares in another
- Drinking-water projection
- Benefits for more than 44 lakh people in Madhya Pradesh
- Energy projection
- 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power
- Affected project area
- One article says 1,382 villages across 10 Madhya Pradesh districts would directly benefit
