Relief for Selaulim evacuees still on the slow track and crawling

ALFRED FERNANDES

sangueM:There finally appears to be some movement on the ground when it comes to addressing the long pending grievances of the Selaulim Evacuees. But it’s still slow and behind committed deadlines.

But there’s hope that one of the key issues, Class I status to the ‘Project Affected People’, will finally be conferred

Assurances that were given that Class I status certificates to the ‘Project Affected People’, who still continue to hold the agriculture and housing plots as Class II occupants, would be soon handed over. As class II occupants Selaulim evacuees cannot reap economic benefits from their lands

“Except for around 87 Evacuees who managed to get Class I status after following the lengthy procedure, the remaining 338 families will soon get the Class I status,” said Sanguem Deputy Collector Sanguem Ajay Gaude, who has been entrusted with solving this 35-year-old issue

It may be recalled that in 1974, the government had begun the process of acquiring land for the construction of the Selaulim Dam and accordingly a total number of 625 families were identified as ‘Project Affected People’ by the Water Resources Department (WRD).

Each of the affected families, leaving aside 72 families, was provided with 10,000 sq mtrs of agricultural land and an area adventuring 400 sq mtrs for housing plot.

The situation for the 72 affected families who were not provided with the benefit of agricultural and housing plots in the initial stage, however took a turn for the worse each passing year. Till date, they have remained without their rightful agricultural and housing plot on account of lackadaisical attitude of successive governments in getting the issue resolved.

However, after going through the data collected from the government departments associated with the construction of the Selaulim Dam as well as the two camps that were held recently at the rehabilitated colonies of Wadem and Valkini, Deputy Collector Gaude prepared a detailed report on the matter and has forwarded the same to the South Goa Collector for further necessary action in the matter.

The report gives a summary of the incidences and details of seven land acquisition awards proposed by the government prior to the construction of Selaulim Dam, wherein a total area of 2,53,76,273 sq mtrs of land was acquired to pave way for the construction of Selaulim Dam.

The report further states that a total number of 278 cases, needs allocation of class I status from the present Class II status with respect to both agricultural and housing plots; in addition to another 72 cases, which needs allocation of Class I status with respect to only housing plots.

The report also mentions that around 50 families’ needs to be issued with Sanads for alternate plots of land, i.e. both housing and agricultural, as the plots earlier allocated to them are now submerged under water. Similarly, another seven families need to be issued orders for alternate plots.

 Gaude added that the report, once cleared by the Collector will be forwarded to the Government for further clearance by the Revenue Department; and for the issuance of appropriate orders to get the issue resolved as far as allocation of Class I status is concerned.

Gaude stated that the action plan as was assured by the government is slowly taking shape. He added that Revenue Minister Jennifer Monserrate is also checking on the developments.

Incidentally, the report also highlights the situation of the 72 families who had opted for a one-time lump sum compensation of Rs 4 lakhs in lieu of agricultural plots, which were allocated to them but were subsequently found to have submerged due to the increase in height of the Selaulim Dam.

Some of these families, who still continue to hold on possession of these plots, are however stressing upon the government to take the money back and revert the ownership of plots, which the government has taken back.