Legal awareness camp for Polavaram evacuees held in Katchuluru
Kakinada: The tribals of Katchuluru village filed a pre-litigation petition before the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) for their problems regarding public utility services and rehabilitation problems under the Polavaram irrigation project. District Principal and Sessions Judge B Kalyana Chakravarthi conducted a legal awareness camp at Katchuluru village of Devipatnam mandal on Sunday.
The affected families of Polavaram submitted their grievances to district judge against the inaction of the authorities. They alleged, in the rehabilitation package announced by the government, many affected families were neglected without any reason.
The main grievance is the authorities are not considering the person, who attained 18 years as family head, as defined in the New Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and even the pattas were not issued to tribals so far.
They also allege that community and individual rights were also neglected by the concerned authorities and they have no road and communication connectivity in Godavari villages. The allege that compensation was paid to ineligible non-tribals.
The authorities are not granted any award regarding rehabilitation and resettlement under the provisions of new Land Acquisition Act, the affected stated. After receiving the grievances, District Judge Kalyana Chakravarthi said the victims will get justice through DLSA and Lok Adalat for their problems.
District Lok Adalat Chairman V Venkata Prasad said the tribals will get relief from the Lok Adalat to their problems. He said people can file petition on problems of road connectivity, drinking water, health and education.
If the problem is not resolved under the settlement, the Lok Adalat shall pass an award. District Judge Ch Kishore Kumar and Vth Additional District Judge K Syamala Devi and Judicial First Class Magistrate of Rampachodavaram also addressed the tribals. Bar Association president D Sridhar, senior advocates K N V Ramana, M V R Prakash and Y Srinivasarao were present.