56 RIGHTS OF THE VULNERABLE • The Commission had noted that, in a number of cases, land in excess of what was needed was being acquired and that no consultation was taking place with the people likely to be affected by the acquisition of land. A properly prepared project document with estimates of expenditure involved in the R&R package would avoid acquisition of excess land. • For the purpose of transparency and information of the people likely to he affected by a project, a Committee should be constituted consisting of representatives of the Government, the industry/agency for which land is proposed to be acquired and the project affected people. The Commission should hold detailed consultations before acquisition of land. 6.4 The Commission also decided to discuss this matter further with the Minister for Rural Development, after the Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development had been able to inform the Minister of the views expressed by the Commission in this regard. B] Dispensation of Relief Measures to: 1) The Orissa Cyclone Affected 6.5 It will be recaUed that the Commission took suo motu cognisance of the situation arising from the devastating cyclone, which struck large areas of the State of Orissa in October 1999. The Commission considered it essential to intervene in order to ensure that the rights of the affected population — particularly the most vulnerable — were properly protected in the aftermath of the catastrophe. It accordingly directed Shri N. Gopaiaswami, the then Secretary General and Shri Chaman Lai, Special Rapporteur of the Commission, to visit the affected area and make a detailed assessment of the situation. After considering their reports, the Commission issued specific directions and recommendations on 8 December 1999 on the manner in which the relief and rehabilitation work should be conducted. 6.6 The Special Rapporteur visited the cyclone-affected districts repeatedly during the year 2000-2001 in order to review the implementation of the directions/recommendations of the Commission. After each such visit, he reported back to the Commission, which continued to monitor the situation carefully and remain in close touch with the State authorities. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION