Team Herald
sanguem: The Selaulim Evacuees who are plagued with several issues even after around 38 years of their displacement have finally seen a ray of hope of getting their problems solved.
After several representations and debates in the Assembly, the authorities finally commenced the work of re-survey operations of the plots allocated to the Selaulim Evacuees at Wadem Colony No I, to identify the open area left after the allocation of agricultural and residential plots to the Evacuees. The resurvey operations are conducted to identify the open areas and allocate the same to the 72 families, who are yet to be provided with the agricultural and housing plots.
According to sources, after the initial allocation of plots to the Selaulim Evacuees, several plots were left vacant, which are now reportedly encroached by some beneficiaries and have undertaken agricultural plantation in the same.
Inquiries revealed that some years back, the Government had paid lump sum compensation of Rs. 5 Lakhs to some beneficiaries as apprehensions were raised by WRD that the agricultural plots allocated to them may get submerged due to the increase in height of the Selaulim Dam.
However, some of these plots never got submerged but instead; the beneficiaries continued enjoying the same as of date in addition to the benefit of the lump sum compensation of Rs 5 lakhs.
The resurvey operations will also throw light as to how many beneficiaries are enjoying double benefits. Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar stated that that the resurvey operations are undertaken by eight surveyors under the supervision of Head Surveyor Sandeep Gaonkar, which is likely to be completed in the next few months after which the government will be in a position to identify the availability of open plots in the area and allocate the same to the 72 families.
The authorities will also be working on changing of status of beneficiaries in the Survey Records. Gaonkar said many beneficiaries still continue to hold the land allocated to them as Class II occupants as against Class I, which will give them the absolute ownership right.
He also assured to look into their pending demands of regular drinking and agricultural water supply.
