Incomplete projects damn life of Satara villagers

Changes in socio-economic scenario in the megapolis has earned a dubious distinction for Satara district as a major contributor to Mumbai’s underworld in the form of manpower. Underworld kingpin Rajan Nikalje, known to mafia network as Chhota Rajan has his roots in the semi-parched eastern Satara district. So were half-a-dozen other sharp-shooters and henchmen of different Mumbai gangs who were killed in police encounters in past five years.

Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation (MKVDC) vice-chairman Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar thinks these facts are related to the hopelessly lingering resettlement issues in the Krishna basin. “Time has come to respell our priorities on resettlement. The definition of project affected persons (PAPs) needs modifications,” Nimbalkar said.

The government plans to create a string of irrigation dams along the slopes of Western Ghats in Satara district, non-materialised so far, have created PAPs of two kinds. The fact needs to be reflected in the policies, Naik Nimbalkar, who is also an independent MLA from Phaltan in the command area of two prominent dams, currently under construction in Krishna valley, told The Indian Express.

The unfinished projects have produced PAPs in submergence and in the would-be command areas in Satara. Hundreds of families have already been ousted, another few thousand have a sword of being plucked hanging on them for they are living in the submergences of the proposed dams in the west of Satara. Incomplete irrigation projects have kept western Satara semi-parched, pushed people out in search of job and money, maintained Naik Nimbalkar, pointing at the exodus to Mumbai and other industrially rich areas.

In an oblique reference to recent controversy over Chief Minister performing the bhoomi puja at the site of the proposed Urmodi dam in Satara and the subsequent showdown by the local Shiv Sena MP, Naik Nimbalkar pressed for efforts for meaningful resettlement of over a lakh families in the Krishna valley.

Assured water supply would be a major boost for economically underdeveloped tracts of Sangli, Satara and Solapur districts, he said, and insisted it would change the socio-economic scenario.

Nevertheless, as the May 31, 2000, deadline set by a tripartite award for the State to complete its Krishna basin irrigation projects is just 30 months away, a whopping Rs 96.62 lakh crore worth grant from the World Bank for rehabilitation of PAPs in the State lie unused. The grants were meant for resettlement of 36,000 families. According to a Government estimate about 15,000 of these “must have embarked upon some alternate arrangements using their own resources.” A plan to aid 21,000 families by some NGOs is gathering dust, it was stated.

The government is preparing to table its much publicised amended Rehabilitation Act in the forthcoming winter session of its Assembly. It is believed to be a main plank of the Sena-BJP government to push ahead the ambitious over Rs 10,000 crore irrigation plan in Krishna valley, its major yet only tangible feat.