JOIN USTribals will get back sites, if Diddalli was paisari land: Kagodu
Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa has declared that in case the records reveal that the Diddalli land belonged to the Forest Department, the government cannot rehabilitate tribals at the same place.
“If it was not a reserve forest, then all the 577 families will be rehabilitated at Diddalli. If it is, however, a forest land, then the government is committed to give three-acre land to each families in the place that is acceptable to the tribals,” said the minister.
He was speaking after listening to the woes of tribals at Diddalli on Saturday.
Verification of land
The minister said that the officials have been directed to verify the documents and ascertain whether the land at Diddalli comes under reserve forest or was Paisari land (land earmarked to be distributed among landless). Another round of meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will be convened on April 19 to find a permanent solution to the problems faced by the tribals, he assured.
“The tribals should not be adamant on getting rehabilitated at Diddalli. It is true that providing a permanent roof is the need of the hour for them. Any legal hurdle in the process of rehabilitation will only delay the process. What is the need for a government if it fails to provide justice to the displaced tribals,” he asked.
The minister directed the officials to submit a report within 15 days on the availability of government land in the district. All the displaced tribals should be given BPL ration cards. Jobs should be provided to the displaced tribals under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNGREGS) in Chinnangi Gram Panchayat jurisdiction from Sunday itself, he ordered.
The Minister visited the huts constructed by the displaced tribals and Ashraya houses in Diddalli. Looking at the pathetic condition, including cracked walls, of the Ashraya houses, the minister took the officials to task. “Officials should follow the directions of the government. Problems arise when they fail to follow the guidelines,” he warned.
‘Panchayats inactive’
Concrete roads have been laid leading to the Diddalli Ashraya colony. However, the Ashraya houses are in deplorable condition. It looks like the Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat and the Gram Panchayat, which are supposed to provide housing facilities to tribals in the district, are dead,” the minister said.
“The government is making an effort to create a new social system in Kodagu. If the estate owners harass the tribal labourers to repay the loans borrowed, then criminal case should be filed against the estate owners,” Kagodu Thimmappa ordered.
“Owing to the hard work of the labourers, the industries were able to posts profit. It is a tragedy that labourers are not given facilities. The protest demanding justice to tribals is a model for the state,” he lauded.
The minister also visited the house of tribal Sarasu and consumed thilisaaru’ in the house.
Time to make round of Diddalli
The scheduled programme of Minister Kagodu Thimmappa’s visit was fixed at 11 am. As a result, officials arrived at Diddalli later than the minister.
Kagodu Thimmappa, who had arrived at Diddalli in advance, at 9.30 am, took a round of the place and tried to understand the problems of the tribals.