This sarpanch didn't succumb to bullying
Vijaysinh Parmar, TNN 3 August 2009,VANGADHRA (RAJKOT District): While the government is promoting water conservation by implementing various schemes, taluka development officer (TDO) in Jasdan taluka has ordered demolition of a check dam. On July 7, the officer ordered the Vangadhra village sarpanch to demolish the check dam within five days. He also mentioned that the village watershed development committee would not get the sanctioned amount. The reason: villager Samat Bhojia complained to the TDO that his land was submerged due to the check dam. Bhojia also went on a fast before the TDO's office. "It was our sarpanch who approached the higher authorities and fought effectively to save the check dam. What would have happened if he had surrendered to bullying by government officials," asks a villager. The TDO SY Gosawi says higher authorities had visited the village and would decide on the matter. Says sarpanch and RTI crusader Hanu Derwaliya, "The TDO didn't even visit the site to check the ground reality before ordering the demolition. How can a person own land in a river? I have filed an RTI application regarding this to find out the truth. If I go on fast to demolish government property would they allow it?" According to him, the check dam on Goma river was repaired before the monsoon under the government's watershed development programme. In this scheme, 10 per cent amount is given by beneficiaries in the village as community contribution and 90 per cent shelled out by government. Even if there's no rain, villagers don't face problems as the check dam recharges wells, says farmer and panchayat member Chandu Patel. Chips in another farmer Bhupat Gherajia, "We will be able to harvest two crops easily this year because of the dam." The coordinator of district watershed development programme BM Rabari visited the village after the row. "I've seen the full check dam and how farmers are benefiting from it. Also, the man who complained is an encroacher. So, there's no issue of demolition," he says.