Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Reviews Issues Faced by Kashyapi Dam Project Victims in Deolali

Mumbai : The government is committed to addressing the challenges faced by the victims of the Kashyapi Dam project. As the Nashik Municipal Corporation benefits from the water supplied by the Kashyapi project, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has directed that project victims should be given priority in Nashik Municipal Corporation recruitment, especially in light of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, as per the established quota.

A meeting regarding the issues of the Kashyapi Dam project victims in Deolali was held today in the committee room of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s office. The meeting was attended by Relief, Rehabilitation, and Disaster Management Minister Anil Patil, MLA Saroj Ahire, Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Abha Shukla, Secretary of Benefit Sector Development Sanjay Belsare, Accounts and Treasury Secretary Dr. Ramaswamy N., Managing Director of Mahavitaran P. Anbalgan, and representatives of the affected farmers. Senior officials from the Nashik Divisional Commissioner’s Office, Nashik Collector’s Office, and Nashik Municipal Corporation participated via video conference.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar emphasized that the state’s water resources department prioritizes the allocation of water sources for drinking purposes. After addressing drinking water needs, the water is allocated to agriculture and then to industry. He directed that in the October review after the monsoon season, priority should be given to reserving Kashyapi Dam water for drinking purposes.

Out of the 378 project victims, the Nashik Collectorate has issued certificates to 302 victims. However, the remaining victims have not received certificates due to non-application or errors in their documents. Deputy Chief Minister Pawar instructed that eligible victims who have not yet received their certificates should be issued project victim certificates immediately. He noted that 60 victims have already been accommodated in jobs and emphasized that the remaining eligible victims should be given priority in Nashik Municipal Corporation recruitment according to the predetermined percentage.

The meeting also included discussions on issues concerning Kashyapi project victims, Eklahare power project victims, and the increased water reservation for drinking purposes. The victims from Bhugaon and Manoli, whose lands were acquired for the Kashyapi dam project, presented their grievances. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar engaged in discussions with the affected representatives to understand their issues and instructed the relevant authorities to seek solutions.