Tension is mounting day by day among the displaced families from villages that are being submerged due to the construction of the Veligonda Project. Even as the government prepares to release water into the project, several displaced families are reportedly still waiting for the compensation amount to be credited to their bank accounts, raising serious concerns.
For years, these families have sacrificed their lands, homes and livelihoods for the project. They have been waiting with the hope that they would finally receive the compensation due to them. However, with the water release approaching and compensation payments still incomplete, uncertainty continues to surround their future.
The question being raised by the displaced families is simple:
“If not now, then when?”
Displaced families from several submerged villages, including Gottipadiya, Manchella and Gundancherla, say that many of them are yet to receive their compensation. They are demanding that the government fulfil its promises and immediately deposit all pending amounts into their accounts.
Veligonda Displaced Families Await Compensation
Over Rs.250 Crore in Dues Why the Delay?
Displaced families claim that more than Rs.250 crore is still pending under various forms of compensation and rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) packages for people affected by the Veligonda Project.
While the process of vacating the villages is moving ahead rapidly, the displaced families are questioning why the compensation due to them is still being delayed.
They are being asked to vacate their homes, give up their lands and leave their crops behind — but there is still no clarity on when their compensation will arrive.
This has become the major source of anguish among the displaced families.
They are demanding that all pending compensation be paid first and that the process of vacating the villages should be taken up only after the dues are cleared.
They are also questioning how they can begin a new life elsewhere without having the compensation money in their hands.
What Happened to the Promise of Rs.2 Lakh for Those Who Turned 18?
Another major issue among the Veligonda displaced families is the promise of Rs.2 lakh compensation for every person who has attained the age of 18.
The government had promised to provide Rs.2 lakh to every person who turns 18. However, displaced families are now questioning how far the implementation of this promise has progressed.
While families are already waiting for compensation that has been pending for years, the lack of clarity over the promised Rs.2 lakh assistance for those who have turned 18 has added to their concerns.
The displaced families say that it is no longer enough to make promises the time has come to implement them.
“If I Don’t Get the Package, I Will Die Here”
A woman from the submerged village of Gottipadiya expressed her anguish in strong terms.
She said that her husband had suffered an accident in the past and that his mental condition was not stable. Although she had submitted the necessary documents and details to the authorities for the R&R package due to her family, the money has still not been credited to her account.
Now, she says, officials are asking her to vacate her house and leave the village.
She said that even after moving their household belongings outside, she does not have the financial capacity to rent or arrange another house to keep them.
Expressing her desperation, she said:
“If I do not receive the package, my death here is certain.”
Her statement reflects the difficult circumstances faced by several displaced families.
She questioned how they could be asked to vacate their homes without first receiving the compensation due to them.
“Provide the R&R Package and Support Us”
Another woman from Gottipadiya explained the difficulties faced by her family, saying that she has four daughters and has still not received the R&R package.
With their village and home being lost for the sake of the project, she expressed concern over the future of her children.
“The government should consider the future of my four children and immediately provide the R&R package and support our family,” she appealed.
Her situation is not merely the problem of one family. It reflects the concerns of several families in the submerged villages who are still waiting for compensation and rehabilitation support.
How Can Farmers Be Asked to Leave Just When Their Crops Are Ready?
Another farmer said that he had received Rs.6 lakh as compensation for his agricultural land under the Veligonda Project.
However, he said that officials had issued notices asking him to vacate the land just when his crop was nearing harvest.
He fears that leaving the field at this stage would result in the loss of his entire investment. He has requested that he be allowed to remain until the crop is harvested.
“How can a farmer who has cultivated a crop be asked to vacate his land just when the crop is ready?” he questioned.
The farmer has appealed to the authorities to allow him sufficient time to harvest the crop. Alternatively, he wants the government to compensate him for the loss of the crop if he is forced to vacate the land immediately.
Justice Must Be Done to the Displaced Before Water Is Released
The government is moving ahead with the objective of making the benefits of the Veligonda Project available to the people. However, concerns are being raised over whether it is appropriate to proceed without adequately addressing the grievances of those who sacrificed their lands and homes for the project.
The project water should benefit the people, but those who sacrificed for that water should not be left facing injustice.
Before the process of vacating homes and lands in the submerged villages is completed, the government should provide clarity on compensation and rehabilitation packages.
Pending dues should be cleared immediately. The promised Rs.2 lakh assistance for those who have turned 18 should be implemented. Farmers should also be given adequate time to harvest their standing crops.
Who Must Answer Now?
As the government prepares to release water into the Veligonda Project, the responsibility lies with the government to answer the question of why compensation has still not been fully credited to the accounts of the displaced families.
The concerns over more than Rs.250 crore in pending dues must be addressed immediately.
Compensation should be paid before families are forced to vacate their homes. Farmers who are waiting to harvest their crops must be given justice. Families struggling to secure the future of their children must receive their R&R packages.
Most importantly, the government must fulfil its promise of Rs.2 lakh assistance to those who have attained the age of 18.
Before the waters of the Veligonda Project begin to flow, the tears in the eyes of the displaced families must stop.
If not now, then when?
The displaced families are no longer asking for promises.
They are asking for justice, compensation and rehabilitation.
