Sanguem: A panch member of Bhati village and a former member of the Selaulim Rehabilitation Committee has claimed that even after thirty years and forty two meetings of the Selaulim Rehabilitation Committee, several demands including that of the proper rehabilitation of ninety three missing families remains unsolved as of date solely due to faulty planning and abrupt approach of the Water Resources Department Officials and successive governments. Manoj Paryekar said there was enough vacant land available at the rehabilitation colonies at Valkini and Wadem for the allocation of agricultural and housing plots to the missing families.
The department officials and other government machinery literally failed in addressing the issue even after 35 years of rehabilitation he claimed. Armed with several pages of information sought under RTI, Paryekar revealed that over 90 hectares of Government acquired land is lying vacant at Wadem and Valkini, a vast portion of which now also lies encroached by people other than Selaulim Evacuees and have become permanent settlers over there on account of the silent attitude by the WRD officials. Paryekar also highlighted the issue of double benefits being enjoyed by about 21 families. These 21 families after having opted for one time cash settlement offer of Rs 4 lakh in lieu of agricultural plots some eight years back, still continue to hold the possession of the agricultural plots as well thereby enjoying double benefits. As a matter of fact, the government should have got the plots back before making the payment of Rs. 4 lakh. However this failure on the part of the department has meant the 21 families have received double benefit. Paryekar said that as of now there are about 97 vacant plots which could have been allocated to the missing families. However the Department keeps lingering on the matter of settling the missing families. Of the 97 vacant plots, 39 are at Wadem and the remaining 58 are at Valkini, claimed Paryekar. It is pertinent to note here that in the year 1983 when the government commenced with the project work of Selaulim Dam, a total number of 643 families residing at Curdi and Selaulim were directly affected and were accordingly assured all the benefits and facilities by the Government. However at that time, only 550 families were provided with the benefits and the remaining 93 families continue to remain landless as of date, added Paryekar further claiming that people worked at mines and as temporary village settlers got the benefits as Selaulim Evacuees but those really affected due to the construction of the Selaulim Dam continues to remain shelter less as of date.
Due to faulty planning, even a couple of building premises at Wadem including one meant for housing a hospital is on the verge of collapse without being put to use, informed Paryekar.
Paryekar urged the government to immediately put to place the shortcomings and difficulties faced by the Selaulim evacuees even after thirty five years of their displacement.
