Mandal Dam is all set to be a big poll issue during the coming Lok Sabha election. The dam which comes under Chatra Lok Sabha constituency but geographically falls under Latehar district is all set to trigger conflict of interests in political and social circles.
Stage two clearance has already been given for this dam which in one sense meant the Palamu Tiger Reserve, which was once a major obstacle in the starting of this dam for reasons of wild life’s habitat, wild life, prey base, trees, countless bio diversities etc is now getting ready to face the after effects of the dam once its gates are installed there.
Chatra MP Sunil Singh too worked hard for it. Central team inspected the dam on a number of occasions. From Prakash Javedkar to Nitin Gadkari union irrigation ministers of their period have confronted this ticklish issue of this dam. But the crucial issues like submergence, displacement, rehabilitation, compensation etc remain as hot and feverish as ever when the dam was conceived way back in 1967 -1970.
Kutku Doob Chhetra Sangarsh Samiti has upped its ante against the installation of gates as on Monday December 17 it held a massive public meeting at village Kutku wherein more than half a dozen village people attended it said Samiti’s president Pradeep Tirkey.
Tirkey said around 1,800 families are facing submergence and these families are to be displaced but none of these families are in any mood to step out unless their entire re-living issues are not settled first honourably and sufficiently.
Tirkey said the dam on its construction way back in eighties too had displaced people where one job per family was assured but as against the 667 families displaced only 214 families could get job. This time this would not be allowed he said. People are more conscious of their rights and they will fight for it. Latehar district president of Advasi Sengal Andolan Victor Karketta said the issue is boiling and it will have its ramification in the coming times as well. Kerketta said this meeting was attended by people of Tanyan, Khamdeeh,Beeray, Meral, Sanya, Chemo, Kutku, Khura, Khaira etc.
Karketta said the issue of relocation amount be also given to unmarried daughters up to the age of 30 of those families which are facing submergence. He said this is only so far made to be permissible to male adult
Sources said it is a tight rope walk for the political parties. Sources said for the ruling party here in the state it is much tougher than expected. The opposition parties are bugling for more and more resettlement packages.
Sources said anti dam wall writings have been done on the structures of this dam wherein the slogans read that people resist the start of dam without addressing the problems of the villages that are to submerge.
Palamu tiger reserve’s field director Mohan Lal said PTR officials have confirmed writings on the dam which are too anti government but since this dam is the property of the user agency the irrigation department PTR’ role in it is nothing.
