Villagers displaced by Warna dam & national park projects start indefinite strike over rehabilitation issues

Kolhapur: Villagers affected by Warna dam and Chandoli National Park projects began indefinite chain hunger strikes on Monday, alleging rehabilitation issues remaining unresolved for nearly two decades, despite repeated agitations and assurances.While the dam-affected villagers began the protest outside the Kolhapur collectorate, those hit by the national park project staged the stir outside the office of the chief conservator of forests at Tarabai Park, under the banner of Shramik Mukti Dal.Shramik Mukti Dal national chief Bharat Patankar said state govt had failed to clear pending dues even after 40 years since the Warna dam project and 25 years since the Chandoli National Park project. He demanded that sections 11 to 14 of the Rehabilitation Act be implemented retrospectively, making the project-affected families immediately eligible for land in the command (benefit) area. "Govt committed an error and must correct it. As per policy, 67% of the compensation amount was deducted from the affected farmers for land allocation. The responsibility to rectify this mistake lies solely with govt," he said.Project-affected farmer Maruti Patil said proposals seeking diversion of 215 hectares and 318 hectares of forest land for allotment to displaced families were sent to Union govt for approval. Copies of these proposals have reportedly reached the Kolhapur forest department from Delhi. He, however, pointed out that the land proposed for allotment would be dry, which, under the Rehabilitation Act, would require compensation at four times the land cost. "We are willing to accept monetary compensation of Rs 1.5 crore per hectare instead of alternative land. Family-wise account holders have already submitted written consent to this effect," he said.The protesters further said as agreed during the previous agitation, the remaining housing grant of Rs 1,67,000 per family was disbursed under the Central Govt Act, dated Aug 27, 2014. However, an outstanding amount of Rs 3,600 per landowner is yet to be paid. They demanded that this balance be released immediately, along with subsistence allowance and 65% interest on the pending amount.