Andhra Pradesh State Government proposed to construct a Reservoir across Seethapally vaagu, a tributary of Godavari near Bhupathipalem village in Rampachodavaram agency of East Godavari district for the benefit of tribal development and programme for people's benefit like irrigation facility. As part of the Resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) benefits for the submerged oustees under the said reservoir, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is agreed between the State represented by the District Collector, East Godavari district and tribal villagers of Gandhinagaram on -06-2005.

Agreement

As per the agreement agreed between the Andhra Pradesh State represented by East Godavari District Collector and their representatives (I party) and the villagers of Gandhinagaram village, Rampachodavaram mandal, East Godavari district (II party), the I party, East Godavari district Collector and their representatives agreed upon the following compensations, Resettlement and rehabilitation benefits to the II party, the villagers of Gandhinagaram, oustees under Bhupathipalem reservoir.

It is agreed that -

1. 2 acres of more government land in addition to the submerged patta land should be issued to the Gandhinagaram villagers.

1. 2 acres of government land would be allotted to those whose D-patta lands are acquired and landless poor of Gandhinagaram village.

1. All married persons would be sanctioned 5 cents of land and a house of value Rs. 50000/- by government reservoir oustees.

1. 50 cents of land should be kept as village base (grama kantham) for future needs.

1. An amount equal to the income per acre per year would be paid as compensation for those who lose their crops under reservoir.

1. For the MFP (fruitful) trees that are to be submerged, the compensations to be paid per tree are as follows

A category B category C category

•  Mango Rs. 695/- Rs. 556/- Rs. 420/-

•  Cashew Rs. 250/- Rs. 216/- Rs. 162/-

•  Tamarind Rs. 2825/- Rs. 2260/- Rs. 1695/-

•  Jack Rs. 2595/- Rs. 2076/- Rs. 1557/-

•  Neredu Rs. 420/- Rs.336/- Rs. 252/-

•  Sapota Rs. Rs. 1239/- Rs. 929/-

•  Coconut Rs. 250/-

•  Soapnut Rs. 200/-

•  Palmyrah Rs. 250/-

•  Teak Rs.

•  Lime family Rs. 304/-

1. Employment as Security guard/ Home guard/ Reservoir works would be provided for all the eligible as per their eligibility.

1. Those who do not get employed under above provision, they would be granted self employment under Rajiv yuva shakti/ Tricor/ NFDC or any other programme.

1. In the resettlement zone, one school building and a temple would be constructed.

1. Fishing rights shall be given in the reservoir area to the tribal co-operative society formed by tribal oustees.

1. Each PAF shall get Rs. 2000/- as transportation charges and one side travel facility by I.T.D.A. trucks to move to the newly constructed colonies.

1. Every PAF should be given Rs. 6000/- under productive P.V.G. grant.

1. If land is allotted to the land acquired, land development charge of Rs. 7000/- per acre would be given or otherwise, land should be developed by I.T.D.A.

1. Each PAF should be issued Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card.

1. PAF having cattle shall get financial assistance of Rs. 1200/- for cattle rearing.

1. Each PAF shall get Rs. 600/- towards non smoke ovens (chullas).

1. Each women headed family shall be paid Rs. 1000/- as thrift grant.

1. All the eligible for occupational training should be sanctioned Rs. 3000/- to get such trainings.

1. Every major female and male should be paid Rs. 8000/- as productivity grant.

1. Each PAF should be paid Rs. 4500/- for family maintenance.

1. The wages for the tribal labourers engaged in the reservoir works shall get their wages as per minimum wages act.

The II party, Gandhinagaram tribal villagers would not obstruct the works of construction of reservoir and rehabilitation works and offers complete cooperation to the government . It is decided that the above mentioned rehabilitation programmes should be carried out by the District Collector represented by Project Officer, I.T.D.A. As per the pleas of the villages of submerged under Bhupathipalem project construction, the negotiations between the tribals and District administration authorities, the outstanding circumstances that tribals going to face problems, and the benefits to tribals by construction of this reservoir, some extra facilities are provided and the should be implemented by the district authorities. This rehabilitation package is applicable only for the Gandhinagaram village, which is going to be submerged under Bhupathipalem reservoir.

Both parties should obey the agreement.

The above Rehabilitation package has become a trend setter.

Centre clears rehabilitation plan for two irrigation projects

Special Correspondent:

New Delhi: The Centre on Friday according clearance for two of the State's resettlement and rehabilitation plans for the Musurumilli and Bhupathipalem medium irrigation projects in East Godavari district.

State Special Representative Mallu Ravi said the plan cleared by the Tribal Affairs Ministry envisages allotment of land to tribal families in the command area with irrigation facilities and the State will ensure that it would be completed before submergence begins. The Ministry stipulates that the Government should also ensure protection of rights of the tribals in the proposed reservoirs.

- The Hindu - August 26, 2006-09-27

• The agitation of Tribals threatened with displacement under Bhupatipalem Reservoir has been supported by Sakti. The agreement entered in to with the villages by the District Collector is a land mark in offering the best Rehabilitation Package at that point of time ie. 16 2005 (Land to Land, Fishing Rights and Five cents of House site and house along with other compensations). The Tribal leader of the movement Turram Venkateshwarlu and members of Sakti work charged with trespass.

IN THE HON' BLE COURT OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS

:: RAMPACHOD AVARAM

C.C.NO.____/2005

Between:

The State: Sub-Inspector of Police,

Rampachodavaram P.S. ...Complainant.

And

1. Thurram Venkateswara Rao @

Venkateswarlu Dora, @ Venkateswarlu,

S/o Ganganna Dora, 33 Yrs., C/Koya Dora,

V. S. S. President, Gandhi nagaram village

2. Smt. Sarada Devi, W/o Sivarama Krishna, 48

years, Brahmin, Rampa Chodavaram

3. M.V.Ramana, s/o late Bhaskar Rao 34

years, Advocate, Rajahmundry .

....Accused.

Charge Sheet filed Under the Sections: 341. 353, 506 l.P.C, in the Crime Number 26/2005 of Rampachodavaram Police Station

The above named accused A-1 and A-2 are the residents of Rampachodavaram while A-3 is the resident of Rajahmundry . A-1 is the VSS president of Sakthi Group Organization, Rampachodavaram, while A-2 and A-3 are the Organizers of Sakthi Group.