Monday, May 31, 2010

Vidarbha farmers hunger protest to demand fresh crop loan and C.B.I. probe in Prime Minister Relief Package

Vidarbha farmers hunger protest to demand fresh crop loan and C.B.I. probe in Prime Minister Relief Package: Hundreds of farm widows to join agitation.

NAGPUR - May 31, 2010

The Drought hit vidarbha farmers along with hundreds of vidarbha farm widows are joinging huger strike protest on 1st June ,in order to draw the attention of PMO office towards the massive failure of his relief packages on both bank credit and irrigation front.having done massive corruption in the Rs.3750 crore relief package ,mahrashtra Govt. has asked for another Rs.7560 crore as relief package II so that bankers and ministers can garb the money in the name of giving aid to dying vidarbha farmers

"3 million drought his dying vidrabha farmers are demanding fresh crop loan and sustainable crop alternative not high technology and high risk crops promoted by American MNCs nut executive at the state and central level are promoting wrong crop cultivation inviating more and more farm suicides .before givng any relief package to farmers ,dying farmers should be given chance to say that what is their hardship and what are their demands but ministers and babus are taking decisions in consultation with MNCs and giving schemes in rleif packages and more than 80% money is siphoned out by the few bankers,con tractors and ministers ,we demand C.B.I. probe and social audit of earlier relief packages and mega loan waivers and hunger strike protest on 1 st june for that demand only''Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti(VJAS) president Kishor Tiwari informed today.

===============================================================

==============================================================
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has exposed the futility of the package..THE GOVERNMENT has pumped in Rs 5,000 crore in the suicide belts of Vidarbha over the last two years. Yet, farmers continue to kill themselves. Now, a performance audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has exposed the futility of the package and VJAS has reported the CAG report urging the central Govt. to order in-depth enquiry in to CAG take serious allegations but till date nothing has been done after CAG explosive report .in addition CAG The15th report of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) tabled in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on November 11, by PAC chairman BJP MLA Girish Bapat from Pune has pointed out that the massive corruption in the Rs 3750/- crore Prime Minister Relief Package for distressed Vidarbha farmers resulted in its failure and also suggested very stern action under Indian penal code against all erring officers involved in the implementation of relief packages announced to stop farmers suicides in western Vidarbha but Mharashtra Govt. has not taken any action on PAC Report even after one year hence both the central Govt. and state Govt. is protecting this multi thousand crore scam in vidarbha farmers’ relief package hence in order to drow the attention of Indian Prime Minister Dr.Manmahoan Singh and to get the orders of C.B.I. enquiry in the very critical charges and facts put by the PAC committee Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti has announced the indefinite hunger protest from 1st of june 2010 ,(VJAS) president Kishor Tiwari added.

“we have been demanding the social audit of these mega multi thousand crore relief packages ,given in the name of distress cotton farmers of vidarbha to stop on going farm suicides but farm suicides are till continue,the CAG nad PAC reports massive corruption in irrigation contracts , banking loan recovery ,agri.dept. water shade development work and quality seed replacement programme,we demand all concern ministers and officers in charge of relief operation should book under Indian penal court after mocrio-level investigation by C.B.I. officers as state Govt. has demanded another rs.7650 crore vidarbha relief package-II ,that only for coruuption ”Tiwari added.

Here are our earlier reports on CAG and PAC Fact finding on vidrabha afrmers relief package scam.

Quote

1)Farmer relief package turns suicidal: CAG

http://www.merinews.com/article/farmer-relief-package-turns-suicidal-cag/133129.shtml

Sun, Apr 27, 2008 19:15:22 IST

THE GOVERNMENT has pumped in Rs 5,000 crore in the suicide belts of Vidarbha over the last two years. Yet, farmers continue to kill themselves. Now, a performance audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has exposed the futility of the package..

A report titled Performance Audit of Farmers Package by the CAG of India, has concluded that the package has failed in its basic purpose, that of reducing the agrarian crisis in the six affected districts of Vidarbha. The districts are Yavatmal, Amravati, Wardha, Akola, Buldhana and Washim

"Reduction in farmers distress in Vidarbha does not inspire confidence,” the report emphatically states. Adding that unless corrective measures are taken, "The agrarian distress would start rising again in the closing years of the package. Such distress could increase significantly particularly after the moratorium of loan repayment expires," cautions Sunil Dadhe, the accountant general (audit) in his concluding remarks.

A survey, covering 41,663 farmers in 383 villages of the six districts worst hit by cotton failures in Vidarbha, was part of the CAG audit of the farmers packages announced by the state and central governments in 2006. It found that 36 per cent of farmers were not even aware of the state and central government packages.

The audit slams the government for weak monitoring, delays in payments of compensation and lack of coordination in implementing the packages. The audit conducted between March and June 2007 highlights some glaring deficiencies. It is the first report evaluating implementation of the packages since they were announced two years back.

The CAG report says that government directives for moneylenders to free farmers lands were turned down by the High Court when moneylenders approached it. Neither did the government challenge the court ruling nor did it strengthen the existing laws in favour of the farmers.

A door-to-door survey in 2006 by the state showed there were 13.48 lakh distressed and 4.34 lakh very distressed farmers in these six districts. But they were not considered when benefits were handed out. Short-term measures like help-lines and rescheduling loans were ineffective for most farmers. The report also questioned long-term goals, like creating irrigation potential and subsidiary occupations for farmers.

As per CAG report, it is now official that all claims made by the state administration as per as implementation of relief packages are concern were misleading and far away from the ground reality that has killed more innocent distressed Vidarbha farmers. Here is the detail of CAG report officially released by Maharashtran government.

Suicides by debt-ridden Vidarbha farmers have actually accelerated after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the multi-crore relief package in 2006. The state administration is blamed for lack of co-ordination and a faulty implementation of plans.

The CAG statistics reveal that the suicide graph has been on the rise. From 712 farmers in 2005-06, to 1414 suicides in 2006-07 the total suicide deaths reported from April-July 2007-08 stood at 608. The report was tabled in the state legislature on Friday, hours before the seven-week budget session was prorogued.

CAG has demolished the state government’s claim, that alls well after funds flow from the relief package. In fact the CAG team has asserted that there is no monitoring of the implementation of the packages.

"Though the state created the Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swawalamban Mission (VNSSM) for monitoring of the implementation of the packages, it had no dedicated staff apart from its director general and a driver. Consequently, it failed to even watch the expenditure incurred by the implementing departments under various components,’ ’ the report said.

The auditors, who surveyed 363 villages covering 41,663 farmers, said the state failed to implement its announcements that farmers who took loans from unregistered moneylenders can treat themselves free from that loan. In fact, the CAG survey revealed that 75 per cent of their respondents were unaware of this announcement in absence of adequate and effective publicity.

The CAG report reveals that illegal money lenders have got relief from the courts after the assistant registrars of the cooperative societies (ARCS) declared the farmers free from debts. In 18 writ petitions filed by the money lenders the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court passed orders setting aside the orders of the ARCS.

"The government neither appealed against the orders (in the Supreme Court) nor took any remedial action like amendment of the relevant acts to secure the interests of the indebted farmers. Consequently the affected farmers did not get the intended benefit of the government decision of December 2005,’’ it said.

A scrutiny of the state government records in Amravati by the CAG has revealed that 224 eligible farmers were deprived of the compensation of Rs 2.14 lakh due to non-availability of funds, speaking volumes about the state administration’ s handling of the issue. The report said that many banks claimed interest without extending fresh loans to the distressed farmers. Of the 17.64 lakh farmers in the six districts, 9.29 lakh cases of loan having outstanding principle amount of Rs 1,369 crore were proposed to be rescheduled after waiver of interests.

However, fresh loans of Rs 673 crore (43 per cent) were given in 4.84 lakh cases. "The waiver of interest in all these cases did not help the families of the farmers concerned in income augmentation since loan was not rescheduled. Further the government waived interest on 1. 92 lakh farm workers, though the packages did not envisage assistance to those who were not farmers,’’ the report said.

The Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) president Kishor Tiwari urged UPA government to order CBI. inquiry in this matter as issue of huge malpractices in more than Rs.5000 crore. This failure of relief package has resulted to more than 3000 suicides of farmers.

In fact VJAS has demanding that due to total apathy of administration and causal attitude, coupled with massive corruption has made this condition of rural Vidarbha so pathetic and aggravated that the agrarian crisis grew more after the announcement of relief package;as the relief did not reached the dying farmers in time even after the lapse of two year. It is the need of the time to provide food security health care to minimum 4.34 lakh farming families who are identified by administration as farmers in deep distress, Tiwari added.

2) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reports massive corruption in Rs.3750 crore Prime Minister Relief Package for distressed Vidarbha farmers

http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=332&page=41

Home > 2010 Issues > February 21, 2010

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reports massive corruption in Rs.3750 crore Prime Minister Relief Package for distressed Vidarbha farmers
VJAS demands stern action on erring officers

Some of the officers who were involved in irregularities and corruption of thousands of crore have taken voluntary retirement from the State Government service with due consent of the concerned minister. All contracts or supply orders of relief work and materials were fabricated and most of the money was diverted to the minister, contractors and officers even after PAC asked for immediate action

THE 15th report of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) tabled in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on November 11, by PAC chairman BJP MLA Girish Bapat from Pune has pointed out that the massive corruption in the Rs 3750/- crore Prime Minister Relief Package for distressed Vidarbha farmers resulted in its failure and also suggested very stern action under Indian penal code against all erring officers involved in the implementation of relief packages announced to stop farmers suicides in western Vidarbha, Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), informed.

The 15 report of (PAC) has blamed irrigation department, agriculture department and co-operative banks for siphoning out thousands crore by the complete understanding of concern ministers and executives in the top end of government in Mantralaya.

Some of the officers who were involved in irregularities and corruption of thousands of crore have taken voluntary retirement from State Government service with due consent of the concern minister. All contracts or supply orders of relief work and materials were fabricated and most of the money was diverted to the minister, contractors and officers even after PAC asked for immediate action till date there is no action against the officers orthebanks,PACreportadded.
The 15th report of PAC has expressed shock and displeasure over the extreme apathy of executive to provide ex-gratia aid to the next kin of deceased farmers. In some cases bribe was demanded from the kin of deceased farmers who committed suicide to make illegible for the aid. This is sheer apathy and indicates inefficient functionary in administration, PAC said in the report.
PAC has asked Government to arrange for the detail probe in all the cases of irregularities and malpractices in relief packages and in providing ex-gratia and to take stringent action against those already found guilty. ATR should be submitted to Public accounts committee (PAC),it recommended.

Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), farmers advocacy group who have already lodged complaints against on going massive corruption in farmers relief packages, now urged government to tale stern action against all concern ministers and officers involved in the corruption, Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), informed the media.

Unquote

“Hundereds vidarbha farm widows are also joinging hunger strike on 1st june as Govt. is pumping thousands of crore in the name of farmers relief package but they failed to provide food ,free education and health care to dying distressed farmers families as recommended by Dr.Narendra Jadhav committee even after Govt. has accepted the it’s report 28 month back now they are asking for Rs.7560 crore for irrigation projects in which 50% money is being siphoned out by concern ministers and officers in Mumbai mantralaya as it has been done to earlier allotted Rs.5600 crore ,the corruption level in vidarbha relief package has created new history in mahrashtra hence we have been demanding C.B.I. probe and we will get it ”Tiwari said today.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Maharashtra chief minister skip May 28 vidarbha Kharif meeting :No Package or Programme to tackle Agrarian Crisis.

Maharashtra chief minister skip May 28 vidarbha Kharif meeting :No Package or Programme to tackle Agrarian Crisis.

NAGPUR: May 29, 2010,

Maharashtra chief minister Ashok chavan intentionally skipped thee kharif crop planning meeting for the six districts of and Amaravati in Nagpur division held in the city on May 28 which was deferred earlier .Agriculture Minister Balasaheb Thorat who presided the important meeting failed to give any Govt. plan to promote Nabard and ICAR sponsored scheme for drought hit suicide prone districts of vidarbha .not a single member of parliament attended the very important kharif meting ,more over noeither expert or NGO were called for discussion and all officers were also not prepared to provide the solution on going agrarian crisis in the vidarbha region, Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti (VJAS) informed in a press note today.

“This shows complete apathy of maharashtra chief minister Ashok chavan toward the vidarbha agrarian crisis as this meeting was rescheduled so that the chief minister can attend it in the city and he can have in-depth discussion with all district collectors, ZP chiefs and chairmen of committees, elected representatives including MLAs and MPs and bank representatives on the issues related to availability of water, seeds, crop patterns, fertilizers and farm credit availability are sorted out but nothing has happened in the meeting as chief minister was not present in the meeting .the attitude of administration very gloomy towards the basic issues of west Vidarbha where six of the districts are facing farmers' suicide crisis. we were expecting special ICAR and NABARD plan to address food crop pattern and soil enrichment ,rainwater harvesting, micro social audit of water shade activities and promotion of special pluses zone for vidarbha ” said Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti president Kishore Tiwari.

"There is an urgent need to stop cultivation highly rain sensitive crops like suger cane and Bt.cotton in the crisis-ridden Vidarbha region and give special financial incentive take to pulses and foodgrain cultivation. Cotton cultivation is a capital intensive and aggressive way in which Bt cotton is being promoted could lead to a disastrous situation once again as it demands more water," Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti president Kishore Tiwari added..

"If the coming monsoon is deficient like last year, the situation in Vidarbha is bound to be aggravated. The principal secretary (agri) nansaheb patil earlier decleared that thia year maharashtra government is taking steps promote food crop and would like to discourage cash crops, but in khariff meeting nothing has been come up with alternatives more over it been even clear that there is not single village in Vidarbha has been selected for the intensive pulse and foodgrain promotion plan as announced in the Union budget by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee. Agriculture Minister Balasaheb Thorat also disappointed vidarbha farmers by keeping sailence over the fresh relief package of Rs 7500 crore sought by the state from the Centre for drought relief in 15,000 Vidarbha villages, this is also much more disturbing .if maharashtra Govt. failed to take corrective steps to address the on going agrarian crisis ,this apathy will the restart farm suicide spiral in near future " said Tiwari, urging maharashtra chief Minster to attend the agrarian crisis with out further delay.

=======================================================

Friday, May 28, 2010

Heat wave claims 130 lives last four days in Vidarbha :VJAS blames Mega Deforestation for Drastic Climate Change

Heat wave claims 130 lives last four days in Vidarbha :VJAS blames Mega Deforestation for Drastic Climate Change

NAGPUR-May 28, 2010

The heat wave sweeping across central India claimed 130 lives in vidarbha while agrarian crisis added nine farm suicides during the past four days ,The death toll in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra mounted to 180 since May 28, 2010 with 33 persons succumbing to heatstroke on yesterday 27th May Reports of these deaths came from Nagpur, Buldhana, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Amravati and Gadchiroli districts that include two bride and two groom at the time of marriage ,all public hospitals and medicals colleges are operating round the clock to admit the cases of sunstroke and opened special ward for the same but most the people died before getting medical aid ,Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti (VJAS) informed in a press note today.

Date

Death Due to Heat wave in vidarbha

24th may

30

25th may

31

26 th may

36

27th may

33

TOTAL

130

Coal-yielding Chandrapur in eastern Vidarbha was the hottest at 48.3°C. The Gandhi district Wardha recorded 48°C while Nagpur had a high of 47.2°C on Tuesday whereas

Yavatmal,Akola ,Amaravati ,Buldhana and Washim has crossed 48°C and water crisis is adding fuel to the scorching heat wave as region is reeling under drought and state administration has shown it’s inability to tackle the crisis ,VJAS added.

“CM Ashok Chavan told to press on Monday that 20,240 villages facing water scarcity, only 4 % water in Marathwada dams, and 3% in vidarbha dams . We all know the problems give us Solution; I mean government is too hostile to provide the relief . the present heat wave is due mega deforestation in central India and unplanned water management in the region ,the drastic climate is change is manmade due to wrong policies of administration . the intensity of heat wave of parametric graph is significant lower in the region where surface water management is good and area has got proper forest cover .central India has been converted in to desert in last decade and we are paying the price of it ,today hundreds of innocent are been killed by sunstroke ,next summer will claim thousand lives if these ecological imbalance is not corrected. this is very big warning of climate change and Indian Govt. should respond to it ” Kishor tiwari of VJAS urged Indian Govt.

=========================================================


Monday, May 24, 2010

First Year of UPA Govt. failed to stop vidarbha farmer suicide :Prime Minister complete salient over agrarian crisis is unfortunate –VJAS

First Year of UPA Govt. failed to stop vidarbha farmer suicide :Prime Minister complete salient over agrarian crisis is unfortunate –VJAS

NAGPUR-24TH MAY 2010

The complete salient of Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on continuous vidarbha cotton farmers suicides and failure of “prime minister vidarbha farmer relief package ” in the press conference called to give the account of performance of UPA Govt. in first year of office.

“we were expecting the healing words over serious drought and agrarian crisis of vidarbha and concern of prime minister over farmers suicides in the region and his comments on CAG and PAC report of massive corruption in prime minister relief package and failure to start NAREGA and NRHM in the tribal bound backward region of vidarbha . we can understand failure of UPA government to address agrarian crisis due to wrong policies and non functional minister like sharad pawar holding portfolios like agriculture and food supplies but we failed under stand the complete salient of our sensitive prime minister of such vital basic issue ” Kishore Tiwari of vidarbha farmers advocacy group Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti(VJAS) has commented after the press conference .

“UPA promise of giving subsidies food to poor is becoming dream for dying vidarbha 3 million tribal as new food security act has not been operational ,progressive sates like Maharashtra has deleted 3 million of poor from the BPL list before the food security act is implemented. The flagship programm of UPA Govt. that is MGNREGA and NRHM both failed to give it’s effects in rural Indian. There is big crisis of health services and rural employment but prime minister has not given any roadmap for it’s proper implementation, we are disturbed due to very pathetic and hostile approach UPA Govt. to tackle major issue of dying region like vidarbha” Tiwari added.

“VJAS urged Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to revisit vidarbha and look at dying vidarbha farmers alongwith failure of his Rs.3750 crore relief package and starvation and issue of manutriation of tribal,people of vidarbha voted congress in central and state both but they are been penalized for the same .this is very very unfortunate ”Tiwari said.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, May 22, 2010

पंतप्रधान पॅकेजमधील गैरप्रकार-सीबीआय चौकशीच्या मागणीसाठी विदर्भ जनआंदोलन समितीचे १ जूनपासून उपोषण-लोकसत्ता

सीबीआय चौकशीच्या मागणीसाठी विदर्भ जनआंदोलन समितीचे १ जूनपासून उपोषण

पंतप्रधान पॅकेजमधील गैरप्रकार
नागपूर, १९ मे/ प्रतिनिधी

http://loksatta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71189:2010-05-19-17-58-01&catid=45:2009-07-15-04-01-33&Itemid=56
विदर्भातील शेतकऱ्यांच्या आत्महत्या थांबवण्यासाठी केंद्र आणि राज्य शासनाने जाहीर केलेल्या पॅकेजच्या अंमलबजावणीत मोठय़ा प्रमाणात गैरव्यवहार झाला असून त्याची सीबीआय मार्फत चौकशी करण्यात यावी, या मागणीसाठी विदर्भ जनआंदोलन समितीतर्फे १ जूनपासून बेमुदत उपोषण करण्याचा इशारा दिला आहे.
समितीचे प्रमुख किशोर तिवारी यांनी यासंदर्भात एक पत्रक प्रसिद्धीला दिले आहे. त्यानुसार विदर्भातील आत्महत्याग्रस्त सहा जिल्ह्य़ांकरिता पंतप्रधान मनहोमहन सिंग यांनी १ जुलै २००६ रोजी ३ हजार ७५० कोटी रुपयांचे पॅकेज जाहीर केले होते. त्यानंतर ऑक्टोबर २००६ मध्ये राज्यशासनाने १ हजार ७५ कोटीच्या पॅकेजची घोषणा केली . पॅकेजअंतर्गत शेतकऱ्यांना शेती साहित्य व बियाणे देण्यात आले. २५ टक्के रक्कम शेती अवजारे व बियाण्यांकरिता व उर्वरित ७५ टक्के रक्कम ‘वॉटर शेड’ करीता खर्च करायची होती. ‘वॉटर शेड’च्या कामात शेतात मातीचे बांध, सिमेंट बंधारा, शेततळे आदी कामांचा समावेश होता. ही सर्व कामे शेतमजुरांकडून करायची होती, तसे स्पष्ट आदेश कृषी खात्याने अधिकाऱ्यांना दिले होते. मात्र अधिकाऱ्यांनी सरसकट यंत्राच्या सहाय्याने ही कामे प्रू्ण करून शासनाचे आदेश धाब्यावर बसवले.
यंत्राच्या मदतीने कामे केल्यास ती ३० टक्के खर्चातच पूर्ण होते व मजुरांच्या सहाय्याने केल्यास त्यावर ७० टक्के खर्च होतो. त्यामुळेच अधिकारी यंत्राव्दारे काम करतात व मजुरांकडून करण्यात आल्याचे दाखवून शिल्लक रक्कम वाटून घेतात, असा आरोप तिवारी यांनी केला आहे. या कामात कोटय़वधी रुपयांचा गैरव्यवहार झाला असून याची सीबीआय मार्फत चौकशी करण्यात यावी, अशी मागणी तिवारी यांनी केली आहे. या मागणीसाठी १ जूनपासून बेमुदत उपोषणाला बसणार असल्याचेही त्यांनी जाहीर केले आहे.
शेतकऱ्यांना संकटातून बाहेर काढण्यसाठी केंद्र व राज्य शासनाने पॅकेजेस जाहीर केले असले तरी त्याचा फायदा शेतकऱ्यांना होण्याऐवजी अधिकाऱ्यांनाच झाला आहे. पॅकेजमधील कामात गैरव्यवहार करून कोटय़वधी रुपयांची माया गोळा करणाऱ्या अधिकाऱ्यांची यादी शासनाकडे सादर केल्याचा दावा समितीने केला आहे. शेतकरी पॅकेजमधील कामाचे कंत्राट राजकीय नेत्यांना, तर कामावरील यंत्राचे कंत्राट मंत्र्यांच्या नातेवाईंकाना देण्यात आल्याचा आरोपही समितीने केला आहे.

VJAS urge Prime Minister to ‘Save Mahatma Gandhi Sevagram Ashram ’





VJAS urge Prime Minister to ‘Save Mahatma Gandhi Sevagram Ashram ’

NAGPUR:May 22, 2010

When Maharshtra Govt. is setting up around 50 mega super thermal power stations in vidarbha threatening environment safety and ecology of region ,now issue of ecological damage to historical Mahatma Gandhi’s sevagram-wardha Ashram popularly known as ‘BAPU KUTI’ has been feared due to up coming Rs 1400-crore Uttam Galva Metalics Limited (UGML) at Barbadi village in Wardha which in within a 10km radius of Bapu Kuti, which is a heritage site as per order of environment ministry letter dated Feb-23,1994 when the dispute of Lloyds Steel in the adjacent bapu kuti in the village of Bhugaon was raised by Gandhian activist and then prime minister rajeev Gandhi intervened in the matter ,now as part of extention of exisitn lloyds steel plants is highly polluting industry ,failed to keep air pollution under control was under scanner of maharashtra polution control board (M.P.C.B.)

As per reports published in daily TIMES OF INDIA and I

QUOTE

Gandhi ashram faces eco threat from steel co

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Gandhi-ashram-faces-eco-threat-from-steel-co/articleshow/5960345.cms

NAGPUR: "You must be the change you want to be." This quote by Mahatma Gandhi is put up on a huge signboard at the entrance of Rs 1400-crore Uttam Galva Metalics Limited (UGML) at Barbadi village in Wardha. The new twist to the change that's happening here is ironic because it's likely to cause harm to Bapu Kuti and the cluster of ashrams nearby.

In a clash of industrial development in backward Vidarbha and the protection of a national monument, rules appear to have been broken and circumvented by the steel plant being set up by UGML, whose project is an extension of Lloyds Steel in the adjacent village of Bhugaon.

Restrictions have been placed by the ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) on establishment of industries within a 10km radius of Bapu Kuti, which is a heritage site.

The MoEF letter issued on February 23, 1994 states that in 'Bapu Kuti' area, establishment or expansion of obnoxious, hazardous and polluting units are not permitted.

Bapu Kuti, a tile roof with mud and bamboo walls, was constructed as Mahatma Gandhi's quarters for less than Rs 100. Gandhiji came to Sevagram at the age of 67 on April 30, 1936 and stayed there for nearly seven years.

It was from this hut that Gandhiji planned the Quit India movement and also gave direction to India's independence movement.

Despite the environment rules, UGML's plant is nearing completion on the outskirts of Wardha town.

UNQUOTE

Now as per Environment and Forest Ministry letter issued on February 23, 1994 states that in 'Bapu Kuti' area, establishment or expansion of obnoxious, hazardous and polluting units are not permitted and Bapu Kuti, a tile roof with mud and bamboo walls, was constructed as Mahatma Gandhi's quarters for less than Rs 100. Gandhiji came to Sevagram at the age of 67 on April 30, 1936 and stayed there for nearly seven years. It was from this hut that Gandhiji planned the Quit India movement and also gave direction to India's independence movement.

has urged Indian prime minister Dr.Mamohan singh to llok in to very serious issue of ecological damage to historical Mahatma Gandhi’s sevagram-wardha Ashram popularly known as ‘BAPU KUTI’ has been feared due to up coming Rs 1400-crore Uttam Galva Metalics Limited (UGML) at Barbadi village in Wardha which in within a 10km radius of Bapu Kuti,(VJAS) president Kishor Tiwari informed today.

========================================================

Friday, May 21, 2010

VJAS to start indefinite hunger protest to demand C.B.I. probe in multi thousand crore scam in vidarbha farm relief package

VJAS to start indefinite hunger protest to demand C.B.I. probe in multi thousand crore scam in vidarbha farm relief package: Hundreds of farm widows to join agitation.

NAGPUR - May 21, 2010

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has exposed the futility of the package..THE GOVERNMENT has pumped in Rs 5,000 crore in the suicide belts of Vidarbha over the last two years. Yet, farmers continue to kill themselves. Now, a performance audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has exposed the futility of the package and VJAS has reported the CAG report urging the central Govt. to order in-depth enquiry in to CAG take serious allegations but till date nothing has been done after CAG explosive report .in addition CAG The15th report of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) tabled in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on November 11, by PAC chairman BJP MLA Girish Bapat from Pune has pointed out that the massive corruption in the Rs 3750/- crore Prime Minister Relief Package for distressed Vidarbha farmers resulted in its failure and also suggested very stern action under Indian penal code against all erring officers involved in the implementation of relief packages announced to stop farmers suicides in western Vidarbha but Mharashtra Govt. has not taken any action on PAC Report even after one year hence both the central Govt. and state Govt. is protecting this multi thousand crore scam in vidarbha farmers’ relief package hence in order to drow the attention of Indian Prime Minister Dr.Manmahoan Singh and to get the orders of C.B.I. enquiry in the very critical charges and facts put by the PAC committee Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti has announced the indefinite hunger protest from 1st of june 2010 ,(VJAS) president Kishor Tiwari informed today.

“we have been demanding the social audit of these mega multi thousand crore relief packages ,given in the name of distress cotton farmers of vidarbha to stop on going farm suicides but farm suicides are till continue,the CAG nad PAC reports massive corruption in irrigation contracts , banking loan recovery ,agri.dept. water shade development work and quality seed replacement programme,we demand all concern ministers and officers in charge of relief operation should book under Indian penal court after mocrio-level investigation by C.B.I. officers as state Govt. has demanded another rs.7650 crore vidarbha relief package-II ,that only for coruuption ”Tiwari added.

Here are our earlier reports on CAG and PAC Fact finding on vidrabha afrmers relief package scam.

Quote

1)Farmer relief package turns suicidal: CAG

http://www.merinews.com/article/farmer-relief-package-turns-suicidal-cag/133129.shtml

Sun, Apr 27, 2008 19:15:22 IST

THE GOVERNMENT has pumped in Rs 5,000 crore in the suicide belts of Vidarbha over the last two years. Yet, farmers continue to kill themselves. Now, a performance audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has exposed the futility of the package..

A report titled Performance Audit of Farmers Package by the CAG of India, has concluded that the package has failed in its basic purpose, that of reducing the agrarian crisis in the six affected districts of Vidarbha. The districts are Yavatmal, Amravati, Wardha, Akola, Buldhana and Washim

"Reduction in farmers distress in Vidarbha does not inspire confidence,” the report emphatically states. Adding that unless corrective measures are taken, "The agrarian distress would start rising again in the closing years of the package. Such distress could increase significantly particularly after the moratorium of loan repayment expires," cautions Sunil Dadhe, the accountant general (audit) in his concluding remarks.

A survey, covering 41,663 farmers in 383 villages of the six districts worst hit by cotton failures in Vidarbha, was part of the CAG audit of the farmers packages announced by the state and central governments in 2006. It found that 36 per cent of farmers were not even aware of the state and central government packages.

The audit slams the government for weak monitoring, delays in payments of compensation and lack of coordination in implementing the packages. The audit conducted between March and June 2007 highlights some glaring deficiencies. It is the first report evaluating implementation of the packages since they were announced two years back.

The CAG report says that government directives for moneylenders to free farmers lands were turned down by the High Court when moneylenders approached it. Neither did the government challenge the court ruling nor did it strengthen the existing laws in favour of the farmers.

A door-to-door survey in 2006 by the state showed there were 13.48 lakh distressed and 4.34 lakh very distressed farmers in these six districts. But they were not considered when benefits were handed out. Short-term measures like help-lines and rescheduling loans were ineffective for most farmers. The report also questioned long-term goals, like creating irrigation potential and subsidiary occupations for farmers.

As per CAG report, it is now official that all claims made by the state administration as per as implementation of relief packages are concern were misleading and far away from the ground reality that has killed more innocent distressed Vidarbha farmers. Here is the detail of CAG report officially released by Maharashtran government.

Suicides by debt-ridden Vidarbha farmers have actually accelerated after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the multi-crore relief package in 2006. The state administration is blamed for lack of co-ordination and a faulty implementation of plans.

The CAG statistics reveal that the suicide graph has been on the rise. From 712 farmers in 2005-06, to 1414 suicides in 2006-07 the total suicide deaths reported from April-July 2007-08 stood at 608. The report was tabled in the state legislature on Friday, hours before the seven-week budget session was prorogued.

Dadhe has demolished the state government’s claim, that alls well after funds flow from the relief package. In fact the CAG team has asserted that there is no monitoring of the implementation of the packages.

"Though the state created the Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swawalamban Mission (VNSSM) for monitoring of the implementation of the packages, it had no dedicated staff apart from its director general and a driver. Consequently, it failed to even watch the expenditure incurred by the implementing departments under various components,’ ’ the report said.

The auditors, who surveyed 363 villages covering 41,663 farmers, said the state failed to implement its announcements that farmers who took loans from unregistered moneylenders can treat themselves free from that loan. In fact, the CAG survey revealed that 75 per cent of their respondents were unaware of this announcement in absence of adequate and effective publicity.

The CAG report reveals that illegal money lenders have got relief from the courts after the assistant registrars of the cooperative societies (ARCS) declared the farmers free from debts. In 18 writ petitions filed by the money lenders the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court passed orders setting aside the orders of the ARCS.

"The government neither appealed against the orders (in the Supreme Court) nor took any remedial action like amendment of the relevant acts to secure the interests of the indebted farmers. Consequently the affected farmers did not get the intended benefit of the government decision of December 2005,’’ it said.

A scrutiny of the state government records in Amravati by the CAG has revealed that 224 eligible farmers were deprived of the compensation of Rs 2.14 lakh due to non-availability of funds, speaking volumes about the state administration’ s handling of the issue. The report said that many banks claimed interest without extending fresh loans to the distressed farmers. Of the 17.64 lakh farmers in the six districts, 9.29 lakh cases of loan having outstanding principle amount of Rs 1,369 crore were proposed to be rescheduled after waiver of interests.

However, fresh loans of Rs 673 crore (43 per cent) were given in 4.84 lakh cases. "The waiver of interest in all these cases did not help the families of the farmers concerned in income augmentation since loan was not rescheduled. Further the government waived interest on 1. 92 lakh farm workers, though the packages did not envisage assistance to those who were not farmers,’’ the report said.

The Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) president Kishor Tiwari urged UPA government to order CBI. inquiry in this matter as issue of huge malpractices in more than Rs.5000 crore. This failure of relief package has resulted to more than 3000 suicides of farmers.

In fact VJAS has demanding that due to total apathy of administration and causal attitude, coupled with massive corruption has made this condition of rural Vidarbha so pathetic and aggravated that the agrarian crisis grew more after the announcement of relief package;as the relief did not reached the dying farmers in time even after the lapse of two year. It is the need of the time to provide food security health care to minimum 4.34 lakh farming families who are identified by administration as farmers in deep distress, Tiwari added.

2) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reports massive corruption in Rs.3750 crore Prime Minister Relief Package for distressed Vidarbha farmers

http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=332&page=41

Home > 2010 Issues > February 21, 2010

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reports massive corruption in Rs.3750 crore Prime Minister Relief Package for distressed Vidarbha farmers
VJAS demands stern action on erring officers

Some of the officers who were involved in irregularities and corruption of thousands of crore have taken voluntary retirement from the State Government service with due consent of the concerned minister. All contracts or supply orders of relief work and materials were fabricated and most of the money was diverted to the minister, contractors and officers even after PAC asked for immediate action

THE 15th report of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) tabled in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on November 11, by PAC chairman BJP MLA Girish Bapat from Pune has pointed out that the massive corruption in the Rs 3750/- crore Prime Minister Relief Package for distressed Vidarbha farmers resulted in its failure and also suggested very stern action under Indian penal code against all erring officers involved in the implementation of relief packages announced to stop farmers suicides in western Vidarbha, Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), informed.

The 15 report of (PAC) has blamed irrigation department, agriculture department and co-operative banks for siphoning out thousands crore by the complete understanding of concern ministers and executives in the top end of government in Mantralaya.

Some of the officers who were involved in irregularities and corruption of thousands of crore have taken voluntary retirement from State Government service with due consent of the concern minister. All contracts or supply orders of relief work and materials were fabricated and most of the money was diverted to the minister, contractors and officers even after PAC asked for immediate action till date there is no action against the officers orthebanks,PACreportadded.
The 15th report of PAC has expressed shock and displeasure over the extreme apathy of executive to provide ex-gratia aid to the next kin of deceased farmers. In some cases bribe was demanded from the kin of deceased farmers who committed suicide to make illegible for the aid. This is sheer apathy and indicates inefficient functionary in administration, PAC said in the report.
PAC has asked Government to arrange for the detail probe in all the cases of irregularities and malpractices in relief packages and in providing ex-gratia and to take stringent action against those already found guilty. ATR should be submitted to Public accounts committee (PAC),it recommended.

Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), farmers advocacy group who have already lodged complaints against on going massive corruption in farmers relief packages, now urged government to tale stern action against all concern ministers and officers involved in the corruption, Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), informed the media.

Unquote

“Hundereds vidarbha farm widows are also joinging hunger strike on 1st june as Govt. is pumping thousands of crore in the name of farmers relief package but they failed to provide food ,free education and health care to dying distressed farmers families as recommended by Dr.Narendra Jadhav committee even after Govt. has accepted the it’s report 28 month back now they are asking for Rs.7560 crore for irrigation projects in which 50% money is being siphoned out by concern ministers and officers in Mumbai mantralaya as it has been done to earlier allotted Rs.5600 crore ,the corruption level in vidarbha relief package has created new history in mahrashtra hence we have been demanding C.B.I. probe and we will get it ”Tiwari said today.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

EVERYBODY LOVES DROUGHT AND RELIEF PACKAGE

VJAS to start indefinate hunger agitation from 1st of June to get the C.B.I. PROBE in massive corruption allegation charges in prime minister vidarbha relief package.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

VJAS PIL in MHADA flats scam





MHADA flats-The maharshtra state Govt.on Wednesday said the allotment of houses to legislators who
have lied in their affidavits will be cancelled but ruled out any
action against them.VJAS has moved PIL in high court praying for direction to criminal action against all.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Sharad Pawar makes mockery of farmer suicides: in 2010 claims 6 vidarbha farmers suicides where chief minister confirm toll to 343 farmers.


Sharad Pawar makes mockery of farmer suicides: in 2010 claims 6 vidarbha farmers suicides where chief minister confirm toll to 343 farmers.

Nagpur-May 8, 2010

Indian Govt. more over Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawarji has made the mockery of agrarian crisis and farmers suicides serious issue of giving misleading information in the parliament yesterday which is completely fabricated and baseless as against the official record of National Crime Data Bureau (NCRB) and state administration, Kishore Tiwari President of Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti(VJAS) informed in press release.

Here are documentary evidences of Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawarji attempt to cover the agrarian crisis and farmers suicides issue

REPORT-1

3,450 farmers committed suicides in 3 years and 6 in vidarbha: Govt

http://www.hindustantimes.com/3-450-farmers-committed-suicides-in-3-years-Govt/Article1-540543.aspx

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar informed parliament yesterday in rajya sabha that as many as 3,450 farmers committed suicides in the country in the last three years with Maharashtra, the home state of Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, accounting for maximum number of deaths. Farmers' suicides continued in 2010 as well, with six cases in the Vidharba region of Maharashtra, Pawar said answering questions in the Rajya Sabha.

REPORT-2

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/m%5Crashtra-cm-vows-to-stem-farmer-suicides-in-vidarbha/93604/on

Maharashtra chief Minister Ashok Chavanji on same same time informed in public meeting that farmers suicides in vidarbha is very serious issue and he said although the number of farmer suicides has come down to 966 in 2009 and 343 till now in 2010 from 1,449 in 2006, he was not satisfied with it.



REPORT-3

http://www.zeenews.com/news623292.html

Union Agriculture Minister of State K V Thomas told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that "As per information made available by the government of Maharashtra, 23 farmers have committed suicide in Vidarbha due to agrarian reasons during the year 2010 from January 1 to April 8.




REPORT- 4

National Crime Data Bureau (NCRB) has confirmed almost 2 lakhs farmers committed suicides in Indian in this decade till 2008 ,here is table NCRB complied by P.Sainath

REPORT- 5

Here are the official chart of farm suicides numbers maintained by administration and web hosted regularly recently it has stopped on the site Vasantrao Naik Shetakari Swalambhan Mission but this is also lower than the farm suicides figures submitted by report Maharashtra revenue minister Narayan Raneji which reproduced here along VNSSM west vidarbha farm suicide figure .that shows the hostile approach of Govt. towards the farmers suicides issue and it’s failure to tackle it, Tiwari alleged..

These are chrodile tears of Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan today when he expressed concern over farmer suicides in Vidarbha and assured to look into the issue with all seriousness and stop the trend completely and promised that unless this number comes to zero and smile returns on the faces of the farmers of Vidarbha, I will continue to focus on this problem but other hand he is not taking any action on administration reports 15460 drought hit villages in vidarbha facing the problem of water ,fodder ,food and employment but till date any single district administration has not started any relief work resulting migration of thousands farmers for the want of work .ground condition is worst than June-2006 and now it’s time for central intervention to solve vidarbha agrarian crisis as all relief package failed to give any result ,Tiwari added.

==============================================================