Decades of Unfulfilled Promises Prompt 900 Families to Pledge Election Protest
The Pavana Dharangrasta Kruti Samiti (PDKS), representing over 900 families displaced by the Pavana dam project in Maharashtra, has issued a stern ultimatum to local authorities, warning of a potential election boycott if their longstanding demands remain unaddressed.
Since the inception of the Pavana dam in 1972, 24 villages have borne the brunt of displacement, with over 5,926 acres of land acquired for the project. However, grievances persist among affected farmers, alleging inadequate rehabilitation efforts and the diversion of acquired land to developers and industries.
Narayan Bodke, President of PDKS, lamented the protracted delay in providing relief to affected families, citing the plight of over 800 account holders still awaiting resettlement after five decades. “The failure of authorities to fulfill their promises has left us with no recourse but to boycott the upcoming elections,” declared Bodke.
The simmering discontent among farmers reached a boiling point in December last year when PDKS staged a protest, threatening to disrupt water supply to Pimpri-Chinchwad. Following assurances from the district administration to expedite compensation processes, the protest was temporarily halted, with promises made to allocate land for affected farmers both within and beyond civic limits.
However, Laxman Kale, Secretary of PDKS, accused the administration of reneging on their commitments, alleging that water meant for residential use in Pimpri-Chinchwad was being diverted to industrial purposes, exacerbating the plight of affected communities.
Despite attempts to seek clarification, Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase remained inaccessible for comment on the matter.
As tensions escalate and disenchantment grows among affected farmers, the specter of an election boycott looms large, underscoring the urgent need for authorities to heed the demands of marginalized communities and address the legacy of injustice stemming from development projects.
