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No solution to problems of displaced persons
Although work of the Gundlakamma project is on since eight years, the government has ‘miserably’ failed to solve the problems of the displaced persons who lost lands and houses. No assurance given to them by officials has been honoured.
Gundlakamma project
Ongole: Although work of the Gundlakamma project is on since eight years, the government has ‘miserably’ failed to solve the problems of the displaced persons who lost lands and houses. No assurance given to them by officials has been honoured.
Although a list of the displaced persons to be given house-sites and compensation has been prepared following a survey, the lower level officials are overlooking this and have failed to take action till date. Farmers of areas like Korasapadu and Unguturu, whose lands were taken over for the project, are insisting upon payment of Rs 13 lakh per acre of compensation.
Water level in the Gundlakamma reservoir has touched 20 metres, as against the FRL of 24.38 metres. The water has nearly submerged Poleramma temple near Denuvakonda. With the inflows likely to increase in the next one or two days, officials apprehend that the water level will further increase. With the recent rain the reservoir is receiving heavy flood water. Also, some tanks were recently filled with Nagarjunasagar water. Several water bodies where works under the Neeru-Chettu scheme have been taken up are full thanks to rain.
Considering these aspects, the government plans to supply irrigation water to farmers by lifting the Gundlakamma project crest gates before dedicating it. However, the displaced persons are a worried lot as the administration during the Congress regime had promised them all facilities within a year of commencement of the project work. They allege that no rehabilitation work to benefit them has so far been taken up.
These persons are raising as hue and cry how can the project be dedicated without their issues, besides payment of compensation, being resolved like provision of a burial ground. The displaced families have met project’s Special Collector Sudarshan along with senior Telugu Desam Party leader Karanam Balram to pour out their woes.
The administration had established a displaced persons’ colony for each of 14 villages to be affected by the project, who have been sanctioned house-sites. The displaced persons of Anamanamuru village in Addanki mandal have been sanctioned house-sites in Kongapadu. Yet conditions in their colony are worst.
Mosquito menace is widespread as there is no passage to release sewerage, resulting in various ailments to the residents. About 230 eligible persons of the colony have to get compensation and house-sites. They have appealed to officials to respond at the earliest to bestow them these benefits. In this gloomy scenario, local residents have alleged that ineligible persons are being sanctioned house-sites and compensation.
As a result, without the problems being solved by the administration, three families are being forced to stay in one house in Burepalli displaced persons’ colony. The residents have accused the lower level officials of adopting a negligent attitude in not enforcing the orders of the higher-ups. If they have to secure house-sites they have repeatedly approach the Ongole ODS’s office, where they allege that a class IV staffer is able to have a say after ‘collecting’ Rs.500 to Rs.1,000.
The displaced families are spending anxious moments as the administration plans to release water downstream following heavy inflows into the project thanks to the recent heavy rain before dedicating it to the nation. They question as to how it can be done without their problems being solved.
By Showry
