Irked over delay of Relief and Rehabilitation package, farmers stall Gottimukkala Reservoir works

Devarakonda: Angry over unfulfillment of promises by authorities and elected representatives, scores of farmers, who were displaced for the construction of Gottimukkala Reservoir, gathered at the project site and obstructed the ongoing works on Monday. The agitating farmers demanded that the officials take immediate steps to rehabilitate them and provide them housing facilities and other compensations.  

Speaking on the occasion, oustees of Linganna Bavi Gudem and Puthalaram Thanda expressed concern over the officials’ lethargic attitude and alleged that the officials concerned were passing time with regard to the implementation of Relief and Rehabilitation (R&R) package to them. 

Even though the Revenue officials conducted meetings with the oustees for several times, officials of the respective line departments completely failed in implementing the assurances, they complained. They demanded that the State government provide pending compensation and rehabilitation package to the oustees of Gottimukkala Reservior.

However, on coming to know about the protest at the site, Devarakonda Tahsildar Vinay Kumar rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the agitating farmers, but in vain. The victim famers and locals threatened to stay at the site till they met their demands and the officials were forced to leave the spot.  

It may be recalled that the district administration assured the displaced farmers that measures would be taken up to see that no injustice was done to them, whose land were acquired for irrigation projects.

Gottimukkala farmers’ lands were acquired for Dindi Lift Irrigation Project. They were assured of Relief and Rehabilitation package as per either Land Acquisition Act 2013 or Go No 38.