The state government on Thursday approved Rs 7 crore towards rehabilitation of the villagers affected by the July 30 landslide tragedy in Malin. Pune district Collector Saurabh Rao on Wednesday submitted a detailed report to the chief secretary. "Our demand has been accepted and we have been given 12 months to complete the project. We have also been granted an additional Rs 3 crore as buffer for the period," Rao said. He added that the amount would mainly be used for temporary and permanent shelters. The tribal department has also released Rs 1 crore towards the construction of Smritivan as proposed in the plan. Under the relief and rehabilitation rules, the upper limit set is Rs 1.5 lakh. With the state government considering the Malin tragedy as an exceptional case, the cabinet’s approval was required to disburse the amount to rehabilitate the survivors. On August 24, villagers met to discuss the permanent rehabilitation issue, and they were given three options - Jhambrewadi, Panchale Budruk and Adivare villages - to choose from. "The villagers are keen on Adivare village and the next step of the administration will be to negotiate with private land owners for constructions. However, prior to all this, a Geological Survey of India report will be sought for approval,’" he said. The administration has also sought for nearly Rs 3.6 crore, which needs to be cleared by the tribal department. The Public Works Department has to undertake the constructions as promised initially to the administration. While the amount is yet to be cleared, the administration has begun the construction of temporary shelters. However, only with the cabinet’s approval will the amount be released for the work to be completed. The administration officials added that the amount should be cleared before the code of conduct sets in, else special permission will have to be sought from the Election Commission to carry out the work. The administration will also initiate talks with PWD officials and building contractors to carry out the work according to the budget. The project has to be completed in a time-bound manner, following which permanent shelters will be set up.
