Govt turns a blind eye to tribal problems: CPM

Eluru: Communist Party of India (Marxist) questioned the faulty policies adopted by the government, saying that the compensation paid to tribes and displaced people under the Polavaram project is pittance. Highlighting the same, the CPM District Secretary
B Balaram wrote an open
letter to the Chief Minister on Thursday.

It may be recalled that the CM is visiting West Godavari district on 30th December to inaugurate the concrete works of Spillway at Polavaram.

In his open letter, the CPM district secretary said that though the CM is concentrating much on the completion of the Polavaram irrigation project, he is little interested in looking to the problems faced by the tribes and farmers.

The rehabilitation programme is working at a snail pace, he averred. Terming the Dalit land grabbing act resorted to by the government is utterly in violation of the rights enshrined in the constitution.

Under the garb of Relief and Rehabilitation Project, precious LTR lands belonging to tribal habitations in Jeelugumilli, Buttaygudem mandals are grabbed by the government.

He alleged that the Government has given opportunity to the big shots who illegally possessing and enjoying the lands to sell those lands.

This situation led to disputes between tribals as the government allotted land to the displaced tribes in the controversial lands.

The government is duty bound to implement the Forest Right Act and it should sanction pattas to Podu lands and cultivable lands. Giving a dent to the spirit, the pattas are denied by the officials.

Farmers displaced by the Chintalapudi, Polavaram and Pattiseema schemes yet to get adequate compensation.

The Kukunuru Velairpadu
mandal people are facing the difficulty of not being connected with the headquarters from their places.

The chief minister who constantly harps on his indebtedness to West Godavari district has done little, he lamented. He stated that the farmers, horticulture crop farmers are experiencing severe financial crisis as their produce is lying unsold due to demonetization.

The CPM secretary, in his open letter, expressed concern over continuance of Section 144 and Section 30 prohibitory orders all over the district.

He demanded the Chief Minister to fulfill his pre-poll assurances of reducing Kolleru from 5th contour to 3rd contour.

Further, he demanded the government to start distributing surplus land to the poor people and revive societies and D-farm pattas.