Team Herald
PONDA: The Dhangar community, comprising of 12 houses at Kodar, Bethora-Nirankal, wore large smiles on their faces as they received electricity and water connections after 55 years thanks to Industries Minister Mahadev Naik.
“We were given only assurances by many politicians at the time of elections, but now the dream of water and power has been realised,” said senior Dhangar member Vithal Kavlekar at the commissioning function of the electricity and water connection on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Naik stated that he was trying to realise the Dhangar communities dream since 2007. He stated that his task was difficult as the villagers do not own the land on which they are residing and the government was reluctant to provide electricity and water connections as the area fell under the Kodar Farm.
He further said, “These villagers depended on kerosene lamps and the polluted water of the Opa river flowing behind their houses, which are lying on government land in the Kodar farm area.”
Naik said he is trying to provide them land at one end of Kodar Farm so that they can convert their huts into well-constructed houses. He also lauded Agriculture Officer Kakode for playing a vital role by approving the connections to the villagers’ huts.
He further said that the government will provide the poor Dhangar community with all eight schemes that are approved for ST communities. The government has sanctioned around 600 toilets in his constituency and he will provide this facility to the community soon.
