What is the difference between land acquisition compensation under the LARR Act and R&R benefits — are both available to a project-affected person?

Yes, both are available and they are legally distinct entitlements. Land acquisition compensation under the LARR Act, 2013 is the payment made to the landowner for the compulsory taking of land. It is calculated as: market value (under Section 26) multiplied by the applicable multiplier (up to 2× for rural land under Section 28) plus solatium equal to 100% of market value (Section 30). This goes to the person who holds title to the land. Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) benefits under the LARR Act's Second Schedule are a separate entitlement available to all project-affected families — including not just landowners but also persons who lose their home, their livelihood (agricultural labourers, tenants, artisans), or are displaced from a submergence zone. R&R benefits typically include: a house plot or constructed house, subsistence allowance during the transition period, preference in employment in the project, and transport and displacement allowance. A landowner displaced by an NHPC dam or NTPC plant is entitled to both: the land compensation (for the land) and R&R benefits (for the displacement). RTI with NHPC or NTPC can verify both entitlements separately — ask for the compensation award under Question 4 of the sample draft and the R&R entitlement record under Question 3.

Our village is in the submergence zone of an NHPC dam. How does RTI help us establish PAP status and know our entitlements?

A family in the submergence zone of a dam is a classic Project-Affected Family under the LARR Act, 2013 and NHPC's own R&R framework. The first step is to establish that your village and household are formally recorded as PAPs in the project's R&R records. Through RTI with NHPC, ask for: (1) the Section 11 LARR Act notification (or equivalent) for the project — confirming whether your village is in the notified submergence area; (2) the complete PAP / PAF list for your village — whether your household is listed and under which category (structure loser, agricultural land loser, livelihood loser); (3) the R&R scheme approved for the project — the specific entitlements for submergence-affected families, including housing, house plots, subsistence allowance, and employment preference. If your household is not listed despite being in the submergence zone, the RTI response (confirming absence from the PAP list) is the factual record you need to approach NHPC's Grievance Redressal Committee or, if unresolved, the High Court by way of writ petition. NHPC and NTPC are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005, and are legally obligated to provide this information.

NTPC acquired our land for a thermal power plant 10 years ago and promised employment in the plant. That promise was never kept. Can RTI still help?

Yes. The employment preference commitment to project-affected families is not a favour — for projects under the LARR Act, 2013, it is a legal entitlement under the Second Schedule (employment to one member of each affected family). For older projects acquired before the LARR Act came into force (2014), NTPC's commitments may derive from the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2007 (NRRP 2007) or project-specific R&R packages approved by the Government of India. Through RTI with NTPC, ask for: (1) the R&R scheme or R&R package approved at the time of land acquisition for the project — the specific employment commitment made; (2) the list of PAPs from your village who were provided employment in the NTPC plant — names, designations, dates of appointment; (3) whether any employment commitment from your village remains unfulfilled — and if yes, the current status and the reason for delay. The RTI response creates a documented evidentiary record. If NTPC's own records acknowledge the unfulfilled commitment, this can be the basis for a representation to NTPC management, a complaint to the Ministry of Power, or a petition before the High Court or National Human Rights Commission.

Environmental clearance conditions for power projects often require R&R compliance monitoring. How do I RTI for this?

When MoEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) grants an Environmental Clearance (EC) to a hydropower or thermal power project, the EC conditions frequently include requirements on R&R — such as completing resettlement before reservoir filling for dams, or providing alternative livelihood before displacement. The compliance with these conditions is monitored through annual compliance monitoring reports that the project company (NHPC/NTPC/Power Grid) is required to submit to MoEFCC. You can obtain this information through two RTIs in parallel: (1) RTI with NHPC / NTPC / Power Grid (on rtionline.gov.in → Ministry of Power → relevant PSU): ask for a copy of the Environmental Clearance letter for the project (the conditions section), and the latest annual compliance monitoring report submitted to MoEFCC — specifically the R&R compliance section. (2) RTI with MoEFCC (on rtionline.gov.in → Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change): ask for compliance monitoring reports received from the project company and whether any Show Cause Notice or conditions violation was recorded regarding R&R compliance. If the compliance reports reveal that R&R was incomplete when displacement occurred (e.g., reservoir filling began before resettlement was complete), this is a documented EC violation and grounds for approaching the National Green Tribunal (NGT) — which has jurisdiction over EC condition violations.

What should I do if NHPC, NTPC, or Power Grid does not respond to my RTI within 30 days?

If you receive no response within 30 days of the date of receipt of your application, or if the response is incomplete or evasive, you have two escalation options under the RTI Act, 2005. First Appeal (Section 19(1)): File a written First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at the relevant company — NHPC, NTPC, or Power Grid — within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. The FAA is typically a senior officer designated at the corporate headquarters or the project office. State in the appeal that the CPIO did not respond within the statutory period or gave an inadequate reply, and request the FAA to direct the CPIO to provide the information. Second Appeal (Section 19(3)): If the FAA also does not respond within 30 days, or the response remains unsatisfactory, file a Second Appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC) within 90 days. NHPC Limited, NTPC Limited, and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited are all Central Government Public Sector Undertakings under the Ministry of Power — they are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, and the CIC is the second appeal authority. Under Section 20 of the RTI Act, the CIC can impose a penalty of up to ₹25,000 on the CPIO for unjustified refusal or delay. Both the First Appeal and Second Appeal can be filed online at rtionline.gov.in.

Home/Guides/How to File RTI with NHPC or NTPC for Power Project Land Acquisition, Compensation and R&R

Central Government

How to File RTI with NHPC or NTPC for Power Project Land Acquisition, Compensation and R&R

Step-by-step guide to file an RTI with NHPC Limited, NTPC Limited, or Power Grid Corporation (Ministry of Power) for hydropower or thermal power project land acquisition compensation basis, Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) entitlements under the LARR Act 2013, PAP status, Social Impact Assessment report, and environmental clearance compliance. Includes a ready-to-use sample RTI draft.

Updated 24 May 2026

Quick Facts

MinistryMinistry of Power

Address RTI ToCPIO, NHPC Limited, NHPC Office Complex, Sector 33, Faridabad – 121003 / CPIO, NTPC Limited, NTPC Bhawan, SCOPE Complex, 7, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003 / CPIO, Power Grid Corporation of India, 'Saudamini', Plot No. 2, Sector 29, Gurugram – 122001

Application Fee₹10 under RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Free for BPL cardholders.

Response Time30 days from receipt (Section 7(1), RTI Act 2005). 48 hours if the matter involves life or liberty.

File Online Athttps://rtionline.gov.in

All information on this page is based on the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Act No. 22 of 2005) and the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. First Appeal: Section 19(1). Second Appeal to CIC/SIC: Section 19(3).

NHPC Limited (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation), NTPC Limited (National Thermal Power Corporation), and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited are Central Government Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Ministry of Power. The Government of India holds a majority stake in all three, making them public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005 — fully obligated to respond to RTI applications within 30 days.

Together, these three PSUs are responsible for the bulk of India's power generation and transmission infrastructure: NHPC operates hydroelectric projects across Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and the northeastern states; NTPC operates thermal, gas, and solar power plants across the country; Power Grid Corporation operates the National Grid of high-voltage transmission lines and substations. Every large project by these PSUs involves land acquisition — for reservoirs, plant sites, transmission corridors, and substations — often displacing farming and forest-dependent communities.

Land acquisition for these Central Government PSU projects is governed by the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act). This law guarantees transparent compensation based on market value, mandatory Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for large acquisitions, and Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) entitlements for all project-affected families — not just landowners. RTI is the most accessible tool for affected persons to verify compensation, establish PAP status, and hold these PSUs accountable to their R&R commitments.

LARR Act 2013: Key Entitlements for Project-Affected Persons

Under the LARR Act, 2013, different categories of project-affected persons (PAPs) have different entitlements. The following table shows what RTI can verify for each category:

Type of PAP	LARR Act Entitlement	What RTI Can Verify
Land loser (person whose land is acquired)	Market value (Section 26) × multiplier up to 2× (Section 28) + solatium equal to 100% of market value (Section 30)	Compensation award, sale deed reference data, multiplier applied, whether compensation was paid or deposited in court
Structure loser (person whose house or building is acquired)	Market value of structure + solatium + alternative housing / house plot under R&R	Whether household is in PAP list, R&R scheme entitlement for structure losers, house or plot provided
Livelihood loser (agricultural labourer, tenant, artisan dependent on the acquired land)	Subsistence allowance, one-time rehabilitation grant, employment preference, skill training	Whether household is recorded as PAP despite not owning land, R&R entitlement for livelihood losers
Submergence-affected family (in dam reservoir zone)	All of the above applicable to their actual losses, plus transition support during relocation	Section 11 notification covering village, PAP list, R&R award, compliance monitoring

R&R vs. Compensation: Two Separate Entitlements

A common misunderstanding is that the compensation paid for acquired land is the only entitlement. The LARR Act, 2013 provides two legally distinct entitlements that often go to different persons:

Land Acquisition Compensation is paid to the person who holds title to the land — the recorded landowner. It is calculated on the basis of market value under Section 26, with a multiplier and solatium. This is determined and paid by the Land Acquisition Collector (typically a state government officer) — not directly by NHPC or NTPC.

R&R Benefits are paid by the project authority — NHPC, NTPC, or Power Grid — to all project-affected families, including those who do not own land. The Second Schedule of the LARR Act lists these: a house plot or constructed house, subsistence allowance, employment preference for one family member, transportation and displacement allowance, and resettlement-site infrastructure.

For RTI purposes:

To verify compensation (amount, basis, payment): file RTI with the Land Acquisition Collector or the relevant state authority that conducted the acquisition proceedings — through your state's RTI portal.
To verify R&R benefits and PAP status: file RTI with NHPC / NTPC / Power Grid on rtionline.gov.in — these PSUs are the implementing agencies for R&R.

Both RTIs can be filed simultaneously for a comprehensive picture.

Where to File

File on rtionline.gov.in:

Select Ministry of Power
Choose NHPC Limited, NTPC Limited, or Power Grid Corporation of India Limited as the public authority
If you know the project site office handles R&R records directly, you may address the application to the CPIO at the project site office — but the corporate office CPIO can also receive and transfer the application
Draft your application with the project name, village, survey or khasra number, and your PAP category clearly stated
Pay ₹10 online. BPL cardholders are exempt from the fee
Submit and note your registration number for tracking

Note on project site offices vs. corporate offices: For ongoing projects, the R&R records, PAP lists, and local compensation details are often maintained at the project site office. If you know the address of the project's RE&R (Resettlement, Environment and Rehabilitation) office, you may file directly there. If in doubt, file with the corporate CPIO — they are obligated under Section 6(3) of the RTI Act to transfer the application to the correct officer within 5 days.

What Specific Information Can You Ask For?

Acquisition notification and project area:

Copy of the Section 11 notification (or equivalent notification under the LARR Act) issued for acquisition of land for Project Name — whether Village Name / Survey No. XXX falls within the notified acquisition area

PAP status and R&R records: 2. Whether household of Your Name, Village Name, Survey / Khasra No. XXX is recorded as a Project-Affected Person (PAP) in the R&R records of NHPC / NTPC / Power Grid for Project Name — and the category (land loser / structure loser / livelihood loser / submergence-affected) 3. Copy of the R&R scheme approved for Project Name — entitlements for each category of PAP under the scheme, and whether it is prepared under the LARR Act, 2013 or the NRRP, 2007 4. R&R entitlement and disbursement record for the above household — benefits determined and whether they have been provided (employment, house/plot, subsistence allowance, transport allowance)

Compensation award (from Land Acquisition Collector; or from project company if it holds the records): 5. Compensation award for Survey No. XXX, Village Name — market value per unit area determined, multiplier applied, solatium calculated, total amount, and whether paid or deposited in court

Social Impact Assessment: 6. Whether an SIA was conducted for Project Name — copy of the SIA report or its executive summary, total number of PAPs identified, and SIA findings on displacement impact

Environmental clearance and R&R compliance: 7. EC conditions for Project Name relating to PAP resettlement and R&R — copy of the relevant EC conditions and the latest annual compliance monitoring report section on R&R compliance

PAP lists and benefit distribution: 8. Complete list of PAPs from Village Name who have received R&R benefits under Project Name — names, category, benefits provided, and date of disbursement; and number of PAPs still pending

Employment preference: 9. Number of PAPs from Village Name / District Name who were provided employment in NHPC / NTPC / Power Grid under the employment preference commitment in the R&R scheme — names, designations, and appointment dates; and number of commitments still outstanding

Appeals

First Appeal (Section 19(1)): File with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at NHPC, NTPC, or Power Grid within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. The FAA is designated at the corporate headquarters of the relevant company.

Second Appeal (Section 19(3)): File with the Central Information Commission (CIC) within 90 days. NHPC Limited, NTPC Limited, and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited are Central Government PSUs under the Ministry of Power — they are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, and the CIC is the second appeal body for all three. State Information Commissions have no jurisdiction over these PSUs.

Note on compensation disputes before the Land Acquisition Court: If your dispute is about the adequacy of compensation (market value undervalued, multiplier not applied correctly), the statutory remedy is a reference to the Land Acquisition Court under Section 64 of the LARR Act — RTI with the Land Acquisition Collector obtains the factual record (sale deeds used, calculation basis) that supports such a reference. This is separate from the RTI appeal process.

Note on R&R enforcement via the National Green Tribunal: If environmental clearance conditions on R&R compliance are being violated — for example, if reservoir filling began before resettlement of PAPs was complete — the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has jurisdiction to enforce EC conditions. RTI evidence of non-compliance (from MoEFCC compliance reports) is typically necessary to support an NGT application.

Sample RTI Application Draft

To,
The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO),
[NHPC Limited, NHPC Office Complex, Sector 33, Faridabad – 121003]
[OR: NTPC Limited, NTPC Bhawan, SCOPE Complex, 7, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003]
[OR: Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, 'Saudamini', Plot No. 2, Sector 29, Gurugram – 122001]
[OR: Project Site Office, e.g., NHPC Project RE&R Office, [Project Name], [Town, District, State]]

Subject: Application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — Land Acquisition Compensation, R&R Entitlements and PAP Status under [Project Name]

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], residing at Village [Name], Post [Name], Tehsil [Name], District [Name], State [Name], submit this application under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, to seek the following information relating to land acquisition and Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) under the [Project Name, e.g., Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project / Tapovan Vishnugad HEP / NTPC Kudgi Super Thermal Power Station].

Reference details:
  Project name: [Full Project Name]
  Village / land parcel: Village [Name], Survey / Khasra / Plot No. [XXX], Tehsil [Name], District [Name], State [Name]
  Section 11 LARR Act notification reference (if known): [Notification No. and Date]
  Applicant's status: [Landowner / Structure loser / Livelihood loser / Submergence-affected family]

Information sought:

1. Whether Village [Name] / Survey No. [XXX] falls within the land area notified for acquisition under the [Project Name] — a copy of the Section 11 notification (or equivalent preliminary notification) published for the project, including the list of survey numbers / khasra numbers notified.

2. Whether my household / family (Name: [Your Full Name], Village: [Name], Survey No.: [XXX]) is recorded as a Project-Affected Person (PAP) or Project-Affected Family (PAF) in the R&R records of [NHPC / NTPC / Power Grid] for the above project — and if yes, the category under which my household is classified (land loser / structure loser / livelihood loser / submergence-affected).

3. The R&R scheme / R&R package approved for the above project — specifically:
   (a) The entitlements committed to each category of PAP (land loser, structure loser, livelihood loser) under the scheme;
   (b) Whether the R&R scheme was prepared under the LARR Act, 2013 or under the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2007 (NRRP 2007);
   (c) Whether my household is listed in the R&R entitlement records — entitlements determined and benefits disbursed as on date.

4. The compensation award details for Survey No. [XXX], Village [Name]:
   (a) The market value per unit area determined for the above land under Section 26 of the LARR Act, 2013 — the sale deed reference period used, the 50% highest-value calculation, and the multiplier (if any) applied;
   (b) Total compensation determined (market value + solatium under Section 30) and the date and mode of payment — whether the compensation amount has been paid or is deposited in the Reference Court.

5. The Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report prepared for the [Project Name]:
   (a) Whether an SIA was conducted — and if yes, a copy of the SIA report or its executive summary;
   (b) The total number of PAPs / PAFs identified in the SIA;
   (c) The SIA findings on livelihood impact and resettlement requirements.

6. Whether the environmental clearance granted to the [Project Name] by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) contains conditions relating to PAP resettlement and R&R compliance — and if yes:
   (a) A copy of the relevant EC conditions;
   (b) The latest annual compliance monitoring report submitted by [NHPC / NTPC / Power Grid] to MoEFCC — specifically the section on R&R compliance.

I am enclosing the application fee of Rs. 10 [via online payment; Reference No.: [Payment Ref]].

I request the above information within 30 days as required under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Complete Address]
Phone: [Your 10-digit Mobile Number]
Email: [[email protected]]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Replace all text in [square brackets] with your actual details before filing. Do not include the brackets in your submission.

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