Villagers oppose transfer of land for University of Pune sub-centre

NASHIK: A section of residents of Shivnai village in Dindori taluka is unhappy with the land transfer for constructing a sub-centre of University of Pune (UoP).
Claiming that the gram panchayat of Shivnai in Dindori taluka had allowed transfer of land only on gat (block no. 198 and 199) for constructing the sub-centre of the UoP, the villagers on Wednesday met resident deputy collector (RDC) Jitendra Kakuste, claiming that some plots tilled by landless farmers and tribals from other blocks were also being given for the facility allegedly without their consent.
"We have absolutely no issues against transferring of land to the sub-centre on a lease basis for 99 years as decided by the gram panchayat in its resolution.
But the resolution speaks of transfer of land from gat numbers 198 and 199 only admeasuring 16 hectares. But the revenue minister said 34 hectares werebeing given for the UoP. This means there are plans to give land from gat number 197 also as other gats are occupied by other big farmers," said Kailash Pagare of People's Republican Party, who led a delegation to the district collectorate.
"We oppose the administration's plan to give land tilled by the landless farmers, tribals and others and where there are wells and houses as well," Pagare said, adding that he and the farmers had threatened to stage an agitation in front of the collectorate if the land was still given to the sub-centre.
The organisation has said the gram panchayat had decided to give land to the UoP only on the basis of terms and conditions agreed to in the gram sabha meeting on August 15, 2013.
The terms and conditions had clear mention that nobody can reserve farmlands surrounding the land in question, for any purpose and that every person in each family be given permanent employment and also that every child in the village be given free education from kindergarten to postgraduate.
"There is no mention of employment for the people of the village and instead the government is already handing over the land which is being tilled by farmers to the university.
The Dindori tehsildar in his reports had the mention of the people owning the land and wells in the areas," Pagare said.