Despite the overwhelming evidence of "immiserisation' due to displacement, numerous cases of resistance and the distortion of democratic processes, the neoliberal paradigm remains dominant in India.

A t the annual conference of the Society for Applied Anthropology in Memphis, Tennessee, US, held from March 25-29, "Displacement, Resettlement and Rehabilitation' was one of the three main themes. The conference was attended by a diverse crowd of applied social scientists from around the world. There were 16 panels on the theme itself and between those of us from India we attended at least five of these. (Letter)

Since the ascent of economic liberalisation in the 1990s, Washington Consensus policies - exemplified by structural adjustment and reform - have become the norm across the globe. As a result the State redefines its role from that of a provider of basic services to a 'facilitator' that enables access to these services.