PONDA: Rabi farming activities have come to a complete halt for the fourth consecutive year at Madkai. The paddy farmers find themselves in distress as the doors of three sluice gates are broken, causing the entire land to be inundated with saline water. Approximately 600 farmers who are being forced to keep their land fallow, urged the Mamlatdar to repair the broken sluice gates immediately.
The farmers’ delegation is set to meet the Ponda Mamlatdar on January 23, as he did not turn up at their meeting on Sunday. They aim to address various urgent issues affecting khazan lands.
At the meeting at Marcaim, the furious farmers demanded immediate solutions to all their problems, including an investigation into a scam amounting to Rs two crore by the former Committee.
Premanand Gaude, secretary of the ad hoc Committee, reported that during the Bar Amre Khazan Tenant Association meeting, there was a proposal from the administration officials to elect a Permanent Committee of Farmers, but there was no consensus among the farmers.
The khazan land in question, covering around 25 lakh square metres, is mostly submerged underwater. Due to the absence of a permanent committee, farmers are unable to handle transactions with various offices, including the Mamlatdar, Agriculture, and Soil Conservation Departments. These transactions are essential for obtaining permission and estimates for sanctioning bills related to major works, he added.
Last year, following allegations of a massive scam involving the misappropriation of farmers’ funds amounting to Rs two crore, the Mamlatdar had dissolved the committee and appointed an ad hoc committee for six months. Its tenure was extended for an additional six months, and on Sunday, the farmers were called by the Mamlatdar to constitute a Permanent Committee.
However, farmers expressed dissatisfaction with the Mamlatdar’s non-attendance at the meeting. Shubham Mahale questioned how they could elect a Permanent Committee without the presence of the Mamlatdar.
