‘Give info on funds for bridges in remote villages of G’chiroli’

Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court has directed Maharashtra government to give information about release of funds for building bridges to connect remote villages in Gadchiroli which reportedly remain cut off from the rest of the world during and after monsoon for about six months.
A division bench comprising justices Atul Chandurkar and Mahendra Chandwani was hearing a suo motu PIL (No4/2022) based on a letter submitted by hundreds of aggrieved people from four villages in Gadchiroli to former chief justice Dipankar Datta demanding an all-weather bridge that would connect them with the rest of the world throughout the year.
“The Gadchiroli Zilla Parishad’s chief executive officer (CEO) in his affidavit has informed that the state rural development department secretary was urged to release funds for construction of bridges on Regadi to Vengnur road, as proposed by the public works department (PWD). Additional government pleader (AGP) Deepak Thakre should obtain instructions about the progress of the said matter,” the bench said.
Quoting the same affidavit, the judges said as far as opening of a new health sub-centre at Vengnur village in Gadchiroli’s Chamorshi town is concerned, a resolution has been passed by the gram panchayat for acquiring 0.15 hectare land for construction of its building.
“On November 4, 2022, the ZP district health officer entered into a communication with the deputy director (health services) here in that regard. AGP Thakre should obtain instructions regarding further development in the matter from the deputy director’s office” the judges said.
Earlier, amicus curiae Renuka Sirpurkar informed the bench about a scheme framed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on September 17, 2019, for development of particularly vulnerable tribal groups.
“From Maharashtra, Madia Gond has been identified as one such particularly vulnerable tribal group whose members reside in Gadchiroli. The scheme informs about implementing agencies as well as the pattern of funding. The respondents shall also file an affidavit indicating steps taken in furtherance of the scheme,” the bench said before adjourning the hearing till June 14.