PANAM DAM SANTRAMPUR PANCHMAHALS GUJARAT
The Panam dam has submerged 41 villages. No compensation has been given as yet, neither do we have proper housing. The land is not good. The displaced people are unhappy. 22 years since the dam, we have tried to build a women’s organisation but it is difficult. The situation is bad and now a power house is being built on the Kadana dam. Work began last year. Compensation being given for land lost to the powerhouse is about Rs. 1500-1600 per acre whereas the government has bought land at the rate of Rs. 15,000-20,000 per acre. The disparity is obvious. It raises a problem for farmers and women. These problems will be resolved only through an andolan…That apart, in our area big and small irrigation schemes have been set up. In Motikharcheli a family that has been displaced is in dire straits. They used to grow about 200-300 maunds of grains every season. This winter they have not been able to grow a single grain of wheat. Their lives are so difficult. Housing, clothing, food, education are all major problems…8-10 such small irrigation schemes are to come up here. Please take note of this and help us to start an andolan…