Tough times for Pardhis

But trouble rose when the construction of a road was over. They have been jobless for 10 days. When the head of the Pardhis approached the EGS chief Dharmadhikari, they were sent back to their camps empty-handed.

Former collector Apurva Chandra had assured them that the government will provide them with ration cards, housing, employment and other basic needs. The Pardhis promised to give up dacoities and other petty crimes.

Two murderers and some dacoits surrendered to DSP Padmanabhan. The dacoity rate in the district fall up to 80 per cent. The Pardhis responded to the rehabilitation plan at the Mohol camp.

But now, when the EGS collector has failed to give them any employment, the Pardhis are running short of money and food. It is feared that if the situation prevails the Pardhis may fall back on their old ways.

The Pardhis are sandwiched between the political opposition and government apathy. They have been the victims of the opposition of Congress MLA Laxman Dhobale of Mangalwedha, Rajan Patil of Mohol and Brahmadev Mane of North Solapur. The residents of all these talukas had strongly opposed the plan and observed `a bandh’ to agitate it.

The opposition from the Congress leaders was so strong that the collector had postponed the plan for few months. The steps were in the right direction for a few months but the communication between the collectorate and EGS department was paralysed after Chandra’s transfer.

When, Express Newsline spoke to a few Pardhis on Sunday at the site, they appeared to come out in the open against EGS officials saying that they would lose the job. However, they were angry on the treatment they were given. One of them said,“When we work, we get food. If not, then we are forced to sleep on a hungry stomach,” he said.

EGs official confirmed the situation but failed to give any clarification saying that the collector, Madhav Sangale, would be in a position to rectify the situation.