Bhadra victims' rehabilitation remains unfulfilled

‘Many victims ended up selling land for lowest prices while many others have been struggling for ownership of land’

 “Even after half a century of the construction of Bhadra dam, our problems have remained unsolved,” rue Bhadra victims.

With the construction of Bhadra dam, the forests, fertile land, road transportation, railway transportation and commercial establishments were sacrificed and the taluk centre, which had all the basic amenities, was turned to ruins and is now trying to get back to normalcy. The people who lost their homes and agricultural lands, were provided rehabilitation facilities in the nearby villages.

 A lot of opposition was seen in Shimoga district, against the rehabilitation of Bhadra victims. Hence, the rehabilitation did not come in papers and the ownership of the land was not handed over to the farmers of Tarikere, Lakkavalli and Shimoga regions, who were illiterate.

Owing to the local people’s opposition and threats, many of the victims ended up in selling the land for lowest prices and many have been struggling for the ownership of the lands, due to lack of sanction from the government. The people also complain that they are fed up by the harassment of forest department officials, who have raised their objection over the sanctioning of the lands to the victims.

The forest department is trying to evacuate the Bhadra victims by referring to the land records dating back to the period of the rulers of Mysore. The future of the victims hangs in balance as there are no proper evidences for the ownership of lands and on the either side, they are forced to evacuate the lands. In addition, the people are made to wander from pillar to post for the sanctioning of compensation and alternative lands.

Ironically, the Chikmagalur and Shimoga district level officials are not aware of the whereabouts of Bhadra land acquisition department. Even there has been no answer for the RTI query submitted in this regard. The High Court has directed to treat the victims of projects with compassion and act responsibly. But, the government officials are not paying heed to this.

Bhadra victims allege that the political parties are nowhere mentioning about Bhadra victims. Instead, they are busy in speaking in support of the land encroachers. They hold the negligent attitude of the elected representatives responsible for the pathetic condition of the illiterate and poor farmers of Malenadu region.

The presently inundated area, which belonged to revenue and forest area has also been acquired for Bhadra dam. The non-inundated area was used by the Bhadra victims for building houses and for agriculture. Later, the land was transferred to the revenue department and the title deeds were distributed under form 50 and 53. But, recently, the forest department has maintained that the land is a minor forest land, according to the 1930 order of the Mysore government. The victims complain that th development is the conspiracy of the department to grab the lands of the victims.

The land, declared as minor forest land in 1930, was acquired for Bhadra dam in 1960.
The unused land was again received by the revenue department and was distributed to the victims.

Strangely, the 1,672 hectare area was declared as minor forest land in 2008, considering the 1930 Mysore Act. There is a complaint that the Land Acquisition Act of 1960, has not been considered. The revenue department which is supposed to produce the proper records, is turning blind eyes, allege the victims.

The farmers say that if the related government orders after 1930 are disposed, the government land encroachers, may get compensation. Also, the farmer community has demanded the government to reveal the existence of Bhadra land acquisition department.