This is an archive article published on October 17, 2024
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Express Impact: Displaced by dam construction, 45 tribal families included in this Pune village
From village outcasts to recognised voters, how the Katkari community in Borghar have made themselves visible
The government’s notification, issued by the Rural Development Department (RDD), came as a swift response following The Indian Express's coverage of the Katkari protest on October 7. (Express photo)
After a decade-long struggle for recognition and a week of relentless protests at the Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) office, 45 Katkari families from Ambegaon taluka have finally secured official inclusion under Borghar village.
On October 14, the state government issued a notification designating Borghar and the rest of Ambegaon’s area as a distinct village named Borghar. This development ensures that the displaced families, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), can now access long-denied welfare schemes and essential services.
Pune ZP CEO Santosh Patil previously confirmed that the proposal was sent from the ZP office and once the concerned ministry approved the proposal, an official notification will be issued.
The families had been living without essential documentation, such as birth and death certificates, since they were displaced following the construction of the Dimbhe dam in 1984. As a result, they were excluded from education, healthcare, and public distribution systems (PDS), despite residing just 5km away from Borghar village.
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“We have waited years for this day and have been fighting for a long time. Now the children from this tribe can enrol in schools, and people will have access to health services,” said Amol Waghmare, member of the All India Kisan Sabha, Ambegaon. “This recognition brings stability and hope for future generations.”
The notification, dated October 14, consolidates the local areas of Borghar, Varsavne, and parts of Ambegaon into a unified administrative entity, officially designated as Borghar. “The government has listened to our demands, and we are optimistic that this decision will finally end our exclusion,” said Ganesh Mukane, one of the protesters.
The upsarpanch of Borghar, Rajendra Sawale, praised the families’ perseverance and the role of the government officials. “This recognition will unlock several government schemes that were out of reach for these families for decades,” he said.
While the notification is a victory, Sawale cautioned that much work remains. “The administration must now ensure that these families swiftly get their necessary documents and access to services,” he said.
The government’s notification, issued by the Rural Development Department (RDD), came as a swift response following The Indian Express's coverage of the Katkari protest on October 7. (Express photo) 
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