New scheme aims to end disputes in Maharashtra's villages

MUMBAI: After the success of his rural cleanliness campaign, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil has embarked on another ambitious scheme to make villages in the state dispute-free.
    
The results of the Mahatma Gandhi Tantamukta Gaon (dispute-free villages) scheme, launched last month, are showing results, as is evident from a decline in law and order cases in rural Maharashtra during the Ganesh festival.
    
"Several villages adopted the 'one village, one idol' concept during the Ganesh festival, thereby reducing the reasons for clashes which earlier took place due to (the presence of) too many idols," Patil said.
    
In Satara district alone, Tantamukta scheme committees have been set up in 1,498 of the total of 1,502 villages and the 'one village, one idol' concept has been implemented in 757 villages, he told said.
    
Senior police officials in various parts of the state have said that the 'one village, one idol' scheme has helped reduce clashes and curb crime, said Patil, who holds the home portfolio.