Which authority is responsible for conducting the Social Impact Assessment (SI

According to Section 4–8 of the Act, a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is a mandatory step before any acquisition, to assess: • Whether the acquisition serves a public purpose • The impact on livelihoods, social structure, and environment The Appropriate Government (Central or State, depending on jurisdiction) is required to conduct the SIA through an independent agency. The SIA report must be evaluated by an Expert Group, and public hearings must be conducted. This process enhances accountability and transparency before displacing people.