Farm and Forest

In the third major mobilisation in the Palghar district in the past three months, pressure is on the district administration to ensure access to PDS, electricity, water and now forest and land rights

At a specially convened meeting held on May 29, decisions were taken to support, broaden and intensify the protest

KMC spokesperson Gurbachan Singh Chabba said government was acquiring the land for the Bharatmal project but not paying adequate compensation.

The administration had come to survey land for the Transport Nagar project but had to turn back due to local resistance

Over six dozen former civil and foreign service servants has written to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) urging intervention to protect both these vulnerable tribal groups who’s habitats and livelihoods are threatened as the union government seeks “development” in violation of Art 338A (9) of the Constitution, that compels both Union and every State Government to consult the NCST on all major policy matters affecting Scheduled Tribes

The farmers halted their march on the second day after the government initiated talks with their leaders.

The farmers will resume the march after the state government didn’t respond to their demand for compensation for crops damaged by untimely rains and hailstorms.

This move comes as a result of permission being granted by the Supreme Court to the MMRCL to fell 177 tress

The march, led by intellectuals like P Sainath and others will start from Akola and be be taken to the Loni office of Revenue and Dairy Development Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.

The poorly executed relocation process has led to displacement and exploitation of tribals in the Nilgiris; the Moundadan Chettys fear they are next.