Gujarat assembly election dates were announced 13 days after Himachal Pradesh’s dates. And, the Election Commission had cited state government’s relief programmes in flood-affected areas as one of the reasons for the delay. But, it’s shocking that govt help has not reached to all victims specially in Banskatha district. Here is a ground report.
Deviji Bhai Bhatar, a farmer from Jetad village of Banaskantha, lost his crop and farmland in recent Gujarat floods. It was 8 hectare land which lost and now he has non-fertile land with him. Gujarat govt assured these flood victims of compensation, but Deviji Bhai and 80 others farmers from his village Jetad haven’t got anything yet. They have written to CM, collector, but only assurance they have got. And, now these villagers are thinking to boycott the assembly election as they feel cheated.
“We are waiting since last many months for compensation. I personally have written to govt on several occasions as there are more than 70-80 farmers who haven’t got any compensation despite govt conducted survey. If they don’t give us compensation, we are contemplating to boycott this election,” said Deviji Bhai.
Govt has neither given any compensation nor alternate land to farmers like Bharat Rajput from Jetad village despite making several requests. Thus, young farmer like Bharat had managed few funds to reinstall a drip irrigation in his farm land as last resort to see if something grows in this land or not.
“They came and did survey of our land, but no response from them till now. As last, hope we have reinstalled this drip irrigation system hoping it will work and make this land bit fertile to take crops.” said Bharat Rajput, a farmer.
Jetad is not the only village where many people have not got compensation from government . Khariya farmers have also not got compensation. These people have written it to all possible political leaders and ministers, except typically govt answer, they didn’t not get anything so far. This is the same village where 17 people lost their lives during floods.
Apart from farm lands, people lost their houses also in these floods. Few People have received govt help, but there are people like Nagji Bhai who haven’t got anything and now staying in a hut. He along with his three brothers and 14 members family used to stay in brick house. Gujarat floods not only have destroyed his house, but also forced him to stay in a hut at same place.
“We lost out home and now we are staying in a hut. CM had said that we will get help from govt, but no help has reached us so far. We feared, if it rains again, we might lose this shelter also. We are hoping that someone should listen our plea and help us,” said Sharavan, nephew of Nagji Bhai.
india today
