Project-affected farmer ends life in Maha

A project affected farmer of Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve here allegedly committed suicide by jumping into a lake near the rehabilitated Shriramnagar village, police said today.
The incident took place in Sadak Arjuni tehsil here on September 20. The deceased has been identified as Ghanshyam Gedam (50), a resident of project affected Kalimati village. He was residing in the rehabilitated Shriramnagar village near Saudad before he took the extreme step.
His body was found floating in the lake yesterday, said PI Rajkumar Kendre of Duggipaar Police Station.
Gedam is said to have possessed seven acres of agriculture land in the village, but after the administration okayed the proposal of the new NNTR in 2012, Gedam's family along with 300 plus other families from Jhankargondi, Kawlevada Kalimati, etc. Had to allegedly leave their native to pave way for the Tiger Reserve in 2013.

According to locals, the authorities had allegedly assured compensation of Rs 10 lakh and one hectare land to each project affected. But later most of them had to make peace with Rs 7 lakh and no land.
Having become landless with no work, Gedam was finding it difficult to make his ends meet following which he decided to extreme step, they said.
Family members have held the administration responsible for Gedam's death and now all the PAPs (project affected people) are demanding release of their remaining aid and one hectare of land as promised to them.