Governor Anusuiya Uikey said that the tribal population in the Bastar region are very apprehensive regarding the Bodhghat Multi-purpose Irrigation Project, as they think that they will be displaced due to the project. Addressing the mediapersons at a press conference here in Jagdalpur, during her two-day Bastar visit, the Governor while commenting on the dispute arising out of the Bodhghat Multi-purpose Irrigation Project said that while referring to the decisions taken during the year 1979 when the said project was first conceptualised, she said at that time the project was being developed as a power project, but it was shelved, but State Government has decided to take up this project while redesigning it as an irrigation project.

 

The local people are apprehensive because they have the earlier displacement scheme fresh in their minds.

The Governor while addressing mediapersons, assured the tribal population which may come within the catchment area of the Bodhghat Multi-purpose Irrigation Project, that the project is in the preliminary stage where survey will be conducted till 2022, for assessment of project coverage, displacement and other parameters.

 

The survey will give an estimate as to how many farmers will be benefited from the project, about the displacement required, etc. Then only its Detailed Project Report will be prepared.

 

Thereafter, permission will be sought from the Central government followed by Environment, Forest as well as other clearances. There is a long process pending and after completion of all these procedures, which will take much time, final approval will be taken from gram sabhas. The Governor further added that she will be continuously monitoring the project whether it is beneficial for villagers/tribal population or not. She assured that injustice against any tribal villager will not be allowed.

 

It is worth mentioning here that Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and former Union Minister Arvind Netam are up against each other due to this Bodhghat Multi-purpose Irrigation Project. While the former Union Minister Arvind Netam along with Chhattisgarh Kisan Sabha and several NGOs are against this project, the Chief Minister has stated that this project will be highly beneficial for the tribal population. He has even asked those opposing the project that if they have any better project or option they can share it. The Chief Minister has stated that the implementation of the proposed Bodhghat multipurpose irrigation project on the banks of Indravati River will improve the irrigation and energy capacity in major parts of the Bastar region.

 

Later while addressing media persons, Governor Uikey while addressing media persons on Maoists surrender, said large numbers of Maoists are laying their arms and are joining the mainstream. For such former Maoists, housing is necessary. She has taken up with the Chief Minister on this issue and he has given his approval already and a housing project is underway at Dantewada. She said she had appealed to the Maoists to shun violence and join the mainstream. The Governor said during meeting with the District Collector here, she has asked to expedite the development works. She has also asked departmental officials to expedite development works in all districts coming under Bastar Division. While referring to the demands put forth by villagers who had come to visit her, said she has asked the officials to develop connectivity of villages like Kausalbara, Tumnar, Bengaluru directly with Dantewada, so that development reaches these villages also and the villagers are benefited from the government welfare schemes.

Commenting on the complaints of religious conversion, Governor Uikey said this is a serious problem prevailing in the Bastar region, where poor tribals are lured in the name of money and after their religious conversion their lands are being purchased. Also complaints have been received where Adivasi girls are lured to marriage and their lands are being grabbed. She has ordered for constituting an investigation committee to investigate the cases of sale-purchase of tribal lands by non-tribals. She said such investigation will be carried out in the Bastar region.