Non-payment of compensation for forced relocation

Critics of World Bank projects involving resettlement argue that problems of corruption in the payment of compensation are inadequately treated. Resettlement funds are often not paid to individual settlers but rather to the village or local authorities. This provides local government with an independent source of income and its leaders with considerable powers of patronage. Serious abuses of power by local officials have notably caused protests, and even riots, in many parts of rural China.