Malin villagers still await rehabilitation money

The villagers of Malin are still waiting for the money announced by the government for their relocation. Situated around 75km from Pune city, Malin in Ambegaon taluka was hit by a landslide on July 30. At least 51 people were killed in the incident.

On Monday, Shivajirao Adhalrao-Patil, the Shiv Sena MP from Shirur Lok Sabha constituency which includes Ambegaon taluka, called on revenue and rehabilitation minister Eknath Khadse in this regard. Khadse assured Adhalrao-Patil that he would be visiting Malin village on January 10. He also said that before this visit he would ensure that the pending amount of Rs5 crore for the next of kin of the deceased was disbursed.

Adhalrao-Patil had pointed out during the meeting that out of the total Rs7 crore announced for the next of kin of the deceased in the disaster, only Rs2 crore were distributed so far. Khadse immediately instructed the secretary for the rehabilitation department, Govind Raj, to ensure disbursement of the remaining amount.

Khadse would be speaking to villagers about the possible relocation of the village or building of new houses for the villagers who lost their houses in the disaster.

Adhalrao-Patil told the minister that villagers want houses of 400 to 450 square feet and he was ready to chip in with help from corporate houses as well as fellow MPs through their funds.