Governor blasts officials over zudpi jungle issue stalling devpt of Vidarbha


* Ch Vidyasagar Rao emphasises on strict implementation of PESA rules
* Asks officials to expedite developmental works, and MIHAN project
* Also takes stock of the problems relating to hurdles in irrigation development in Vidarbha and implementation of Forest Rights Act
Staff Reporter
Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra, who is on his maiden visit of Vidarbha, held a meeting of senior officers in the region and took stock of the progress of MIHAN and irrigation projects, implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA). While reviewing irrigation development in the region, he also lambasted the officials for keeping the zudpi jungle issue unresolved for years together as that resulted in stalling of development of forest-rich areas like Gadchiroli.
On the last day of his four-day tour of Vidarbha, Ch Vidyasagar Rao chaired a meeting of senior officers at Raj Bhavan here on Friday morning. The officers present in the meeting apprised the Governor about various issues pertaining to Multimodal International Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN), irrigation development, progress of Gosikhurd national (irrigation) project etc. After being briefed about status of MIHAN project, the Governor asked questions about power supply imbroglio in MIHAN area, investment climate, rehabilitation of the project-affected persons (PAPs). He asked the officials concerned to expedite the ambitious project that had the potential to boost Vidarbha’s development and growth.

Published in 'The Hitavada' CityLine as lead on November 8, 2014

The officials told the Governor that a total of 2,352.35 hectares of land was available in SEZ and non-SEZ area. Of this, only 656.43 hectares was allotted to 74 units. A total of 593.58 hectares of land was non-disposable, and 1,102.33 hectares was balance. As far as status of the investment in MIHAN was concerned, MADC had invested Rs 1,414 crore, of which Rs 1,025 crore was invested in SEZ area. Investors had invested Rs 1,932 crore including Rs 1,127 crore in SEZ area. Abhijeet Group had invested Rs 1,550 crore, of which Rs 1,050 crore was in non-SEZ area. Thus, so far, MIHAN project has seen investment of Rs 4,896 crore.
Of a total 74 investors, 58 are in SEZ area and 16 in non-SEZ area. Of the total number of units, 18 have commenced construction, nine companies have started work in Central Facility Building, and 47 had not started work. As against the project direct employment of 1.20 lakh, the MIHAN project has generated 7,378 jobs till date. The officers informed the Governor that the process of land acquisition was not completed as some part of Jaitala, Shivangaon, Bhamti was yet to be acquired. Many of the PAPs had shifted to rehabilitation site at Khapri, the officers said.
During review of irrigation development of Vidarbha region, the officers of WRD said that many projects were held up due to zudpi jungle issue. WRD officers also demanded relaxation to Gadchiroli district from the provisions of Forest Conservation Act. Further, they also apprised the Governor of vacancies in WRD. They informed him that VIDC had already submitted 73 proposals for revised administrative approvals worth balance cost of Rs 1,244 crore to the State Government. If these proposals are cleared, as much of 46,250 hectares of balance irrigation potential will be created. Further, a total of 2,476 proposals required 23,195 hectares of land.
The Governor also reviewed implementation of provisions of Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act or PESA and asked the officials to ensure strict implementation of the law. The officials concerned informed Ch Vidyasagar Rao that 34,322 individual forest titles were distributed under Forest Rights Act in Nagpur Division. These titles involved 86,128.31 acres of land. Besides, a total of 1,610 community forest rights titles were distributed for 5,23,825.75 acres in six districts of Nagpur Division.
Anoop Kumar, Divisional Commissioner; Abhishek Krishna, District Collector; R M Chavan, Chief Engineer of Water Resources Department (WRD); R B Shukla, Executive Director of Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC); officers of Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC); Forest Department; Hemantkumar Pawar, Additional Municipal Commissioner of Nagpur; Prakash Urade, Superintending Engineer of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) were present in the meeting.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chanda boy Dr Vipin Itankar is UPSC topper in State

Image
12-06-14 * Efficiency and effectiveness are the keywords for the topper * Nagpur lads Aawesh Titarmare, Arpit Gudadhe, and Ankur Meshram also bring laurels to the region in UPSC examination results By Kartik Lokhande  “I am blessed. Vipin is extremely hard-working, dedicated and a confident guy I have ever met in my life. He was always at top since college days. I was confident that he would be in top ten in the UPSC examination as well.” (Centre) Dr Vipin Itankar, who secured 14th rank nationally and topped Maharashtra in UPSC Civil Services Examination-2013 results, celebrating with his family members in Chandigarh on Thursday. This is how Dr Shalini, wife of Dr Vipin Vithoba Itankar, reacted on learning that Vipin had emerged as the Maharashtra topper in Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’ over telephone from Chandigarh, where Vipin and Shalini work in Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 32, both exp...
Read more

Hinganghat: Here rests the great surveyor of India...

Image
  By Kartik Lokhande  Often, the work of explorers lives on but they get buried in the history. This is exactly what has happened in case of Lt Col William Lambton. The man credited with initiating one of the greatest scientific activities in the world -- The Great Trigonometrical Survey of India -- lays buried at a place now known as ‘Kala Gota’ amid a crowded locality behind Bus Stand in the town of Hinganghat in Wardha district. Sadly, the memorial of this great surveyor, whose work led to measuring the highest point on Earth 50 years later, has become a victim of neglect. And, surprisingly, not many know about it and the great significance of Hinganghat in the landmark survey.  Lambton Memorial, known locally as 'Kala Gota' in Hinganghat. (Pic: Kartik Lokhande) Lt Col William Lambton The benchmark stone of Great Trigonometrical Survey, in the courtyard of a house behind Bus Stand in Hinganghat. (Pic by Kartik Lokhande) Lt Col Will...
Read more

Eknath Ranade, the man with ‘Rock’ solid determination

* November 2015 marks the culmination of birth centenary celebrations of Eknath Ranade, a son of Vidarbha who made it the cause of his life to realise the dream of Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanyakumari By Kartik Lokhande  It was 1962, a year that had stirred the atmosphere in the country owing to several factors including a war with China. In January 1963, India was to celebrate the birth centenary of Swami Vivekananda. In down south, in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, tension was in the air over Swami Vivekananda’s memorial. There were attempts by some to claim the Rock off the shores of Tamil Nadu where Vivekananda meditated. A firm leadership is required to navigate through little storms in the journey towards realisation of a goal. Eknath Ranade, a man born in village Timtala in Amravati district of Vidarbha region in Maharashtra, was destined to be that firm leader as far as Swami Vivekananda’s memorial at Kanyakumari. Born on November 19, 1914, Eknath Ranade was the ...
Read more