The State Government on Thursday claimed that it has provided the best package till date to people affected by submergence of land by ambitious Omkareshwar irrigation and drinking water project. The affected families were provided Rs153.04 crore assistance under various heads.
This includes Rs101.65 crore as compensation for immoveable property, Rs20.18 crore as special rehabilitation grant and Rs31.20 crore as relocation and transport grant. Every submergence-affected family was provided 90X60 feet ie 5,400 square feet residential plot at rehabilitation sites free of cost. Each adult son of every family is eligible to acquire a plot. In case plot is not opted, Rs50,000 is given in lieu of it. Free transportation facility has been provided to the families, who did not avail transport grant.
A total of 6,329 families have been affected by Omkareshwar project. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sanctioned special package of Rs225 crore in 2012 against above mentioned economic and material assistance. As a result, submergence-affected families got additional financial assistance. Every landless family was also provided Rs2.5 lakh. Taking advantage of this package, most of families have moved out of submergence area and resettled at rehabilitation sites. At present, command area of 191 meter existing water level of the reservoir is completely empty and no population is affected by it. Misled by anti-dam protagonists, 221 families are living in the areas beyond this water level.
Notably, power generation capacity of Omkareshwar project is 520 MW. The project will irrigate 2.83 lakh hectares yearly. For taking this benefit, the dam will be filled upto 196.60 meters. Chief Minister Chouhan has informed a delegation of farmers recently that the State Government is fully sensitive towards submergence-affected people. The government has taken decisions in their favour whenever demanded. The package of Rs225 crore is its proof. The Chief Minister made it clear that needy farmers will not be deprived of benefits of the package only due to opposition by a handful of people, who have vested interests.