The tribunal conducted an independent assessment of the project’s design and implementation and suggested reparations for those harmed.
In March 2004 communities affected by the Chashma Right Bank Irrigation Project in Pakistan held a Lok Sath (People’s Tribunal). The objectives of the Lok Sath were to:
- Undertake an independent review and assessment of the project design, project alternatives, its development effectiveness, the decision-making mechanism, and the damage done to affected people, local livelihoods and the local ecology.
- Adjudicate the role of the ADB and project executing agencies in regards to their compliance with relevant policies, laws and procedures as well as transparency, information sharing, and genuine consultation with project-affected communities.
- Suggest reparations for the damage done to local people, local livelihood and ecology.
Representatives of the project-affected communities selected 10 members from national and international civil society groups and movements to serve on the tribunal. Besides visiting affected villages in the project area, the tribunal attended public hearings where project affectees testified about the harm they have suffered.
The timing of the Lok Sath coincided with the visit to the Project area by the independent Inspection Panel constituted by the ADB to conduct the inspection. The members of the Inspection Panel were unable to attend the Lok Sath despite an invitation by the inspection Requesters and local organizers to do so as observers.