Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar News: Government Land Encroachments Spark Concern Among Paithankeda Residents
Movements to address encroachments on government land are underway across the state, with numerous notices already issued to encroachers in various districts. In a similar vein, encroachers in Paithan taluka of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district have also received eviction notices. Unfortunately, nearly half of the village of Paithankeda has been affected, comprising 186 families who have built houses on the disputed land. Interestingly, some of these houses were constructed under the Government Gharkul scheme. Notably, the encroached area also encompasses a Zilla Parishad School, Gram Panchayat Office, and an Anganwadi center.
The issuance of eviction notices to half of Paithankeda village has created a predicament for the 186 resident families. The notices were directed specifically to individuals residing in the 11th and 12th sectors of the village. As news of the notice spread throughout the village, the residents became concerned. In their defense, the villagers have claimed that between 1957 and 1985, the government allocated the Gayran land adjacent to the village to landless, backward class, and other disadvantaged citizens under the Social Welfare Department, Indira Gandhi Slum, and Indira Awas schemes. Consequently, these citizens have been residing on this land for the past two generations. However, they have neither been required to present any proof of land allocation nor has the Tehsil office provided any documentation. Despite individual efforts, the Tehsil has yet to issue land certificates to these citizens.
According to the villagers, a shelter was constructed for backward class families by the government in 1962 under the Social Welfare Department. Additionally, during the period of 1957-1976, certain individuals received land, letters of allocation, wooden poles, and financial subsidies for construction through the Indira Gandhi slum scheme. Subsequently, upon completion of houses under the Indira Awas Yojana, the Gharkula was inaugurated by the then Minister of State for Home, Vilasrao Deshmukh.
Residents Demand Notice Cancellation
The Gayran Group No. near Paithankeda village has received eviction notices, affecting people residing in the 11th and 12th sectors. However, the present generation has grown up here, and due to improved economic conditions, the houses have been transformed into cement structures. These citizens have access to basic amenities like roads and drinking water through government schemes. Consequently, the residents are deeply concerned by the sudden issuance of eviction notices, jeopardizing their long-established homes. In response, the affected citizens have submitted a formal statement to the Tahsidars, urging them to cancel the eviction notices and regularize the houses of the residents in question.
