Rehab plan for Pardhis lost in political mess

The Pardhis are known for committing dacoity. The collectorate had rehabilitated more than 35 families of the community of Mangalwedha and Mohol taluka at a village in Mohol taluka. They responded to the rehabilitation plan. To boost their morale further, the EGS department provided them with employment at a road construction site.

But the trouble began about 10 days ago when the construction of a road ended. They have now been jobless since then. The head of the Pardhis approached EGS chief Dharmadhikari only to return back empty-handed.

Former collector Apurva Chandra had assuredthem that the Government will provide them with ration cards, housing, employment and other basic needs in return for a promise that they would give up dacoities and other petty crimes. The Pardhis promised not to commit these offences. Two murderers and some dacoits even surrendered to DSP Padmanabhan.

Due to EGS collector’s failure to provide them with employment, the Pardhis are running short of money and may not be able to sustain themseves for long. They may take to crimes again, it is feared.

The Pardhis are sandwiched between the political opposition and Government apathy. They have been victims of Congress leaders – MLA Laxman Dhobale of Mangalwedha, Rajan Patil of Mohol and Brahmadev Mane of North Solapur – opposition. The Congress leaders were opposing the rehabilitation project so strongly that the Collector had to postpone the project for a few months. The taluka residents also observed a bandh against the project.

And with Chandra’s transfer, communication between the collectorate and EGSdepartment was paralysed.

When The Indian Express met some Pardhis on Sunday, they appeared to come out in the open against EGS officials saying that they would lose the job. One of them said, "When we work, we get food. If not don’t, we are forced to sleep on a hungry stomach."

A EGS official confirmed the situation but failed to give any clarification saying that the new Collector Madhav Sangale would be in a position to rectify the situation.