24 villages with ‘van gram’ status threaten to boycott polls

NAINITAL

: Around 18,000 residents of 24 villages with ‘van gram’ status in Ramnagar area of Kumaon have decided to boycott the upcoming general elections over deprivation of basic facilities as well as rights over agricultural land. The land on which these villages are situated belongs to the forest department. Villagers have been demanding that the villages should be classified as revenue villages now and ownership rights transferred to them.

"The inhabitants of these villages have been deprived of basic minimum rights despite living here for generations. That is why, we have decided to not participate in polls till our genuine concerns are addressed," alleged Surendra Lal, president of Van Gram Association.

The villagers allege lack of infrastructure and facilities like roads, electricity and running water. Since they do not have the right to own agricultural land, they claim they cannot build houses, apply for electricity connections or get water connections in their name. “People living in these villages cannot even become the beneficiaries of government schemes like 'Swachh Bharat' and 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana,'” said Lal.

Many protests have been organised by the villagers so far, including a big rally in

Haldwani

in 2011, after which the then chief minister assured them of addressing their woes. However, the promises have remained unfulfilled.