₹146 crore for developing 13 camps affected by mining in Vijayanagara

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Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary at a mining-affected camp in Vijayanagara district on Wednesday to assess the living conditions of people there and hear their grievances. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary has announced that development works, including the construction of houses, will be taken up in 13 mining-affected camps in Vijayanagara district at a cost of ₹146 crore, with the works scheduled to commence in December.

During her visit to Jambunathahalli and Dalmia camps and other mining-affected areas, she inspected the living conditions and interacted with residents to hear their grievances.

The residents told her that despite living in the 13 camps for the past 50-60 years, they continue to lack proper housing and basic amenities.

They highlighted the absence of good roads, drainage facilities, proper houses and adequate medical services. Although health centres existed in some areas, doctors are not available regularly. Poor transport connectivity has also added to their difficulties, they said.

They further complained that promises made by successive governments to provide houses have remained unfulfilled for years.

“Although mining companies handed over their private land to the district administration several years ago, neither allotment of residential sites nor construction of houses has begun,” they said.

Expressing the difficulties in living in makeshift houses, particularly during the rainy season when their houses are inundated, the residents said that women, pregnant women and those who have been recently delivered of babies are among those facing severe hardships.

They also described the difficult conditions during summer when some residents are forced to seek shelter in neighbouring forest areas to escape the scorching heat in the camps.

Responding to their grievances, Ms. Choudhary said that the State government has taken steps to ensure the comprehensive development of all 13 mining-affected camps with an allocation of ₹146 crore.

The process of sanctioning residential sites and houses has already been completed and construction works will commence in December, she said.

The State government’s objective is to provide proper housing along with essential infrastructure so that residents of mining-affected areas can lead a dignified and comfortable life.

Necessary measures will be taken to resolve their long-pending problems, she promised.

“Apart from infrastructure development, efforts will also be made to improve the socio-economic conditions of mining-affected families by creating opportunities for employment, education and skill development for the youth,” Ms. Choudhary said.

Ms. Choudhary made it clear that community halls in the camps should not be rented out for private functions or marriage ceremonies.

Directing officials to prevent the unauthorised use of community halls, including the one in Kotreshwar Nagar, she said that such facilities should be utilised exclusively for activities benefiting local residents, including training programmes, education and other public welfare initiatives.

Urban Development Cell Project Director Manohar said that a special job fair will be organised for unemployed young men and women from the 13 camps. Graduates and candidates holding ITI, diploma and engineering qualifications will be eligible to participate in the job fair.

Companies will be invited to the job fair, with priority given to candidates belonging to families affected by mining activities, he said.

Zilla Panchayat Deputy Secretary K. Thimmappa, Municipal Commissioner Eragudi Shivakumar, representatives of Sakhi organisation and members of the public were present during the visit.

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