Nagpur: In a development that could add fuel to the raging debate over agrarian crisis and miserable condition of farmers, children of farmers are being taken for a ride for over 20 years with the promise of providing jobs. The Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), in 1994, had acquisitioned irrigated and non-irrigated lands of farmers in Gondegaon village of Parshioni Taluka. In return, WLC promised jobs to the children of farmers whose lands were acquisitioned by the company. However, over 20 years have gone but still the promised jobs seem to be a distant dream for the hopefuls. At present, files of 27 children of farmers are gathering dust in WCL with no visible signs of clearing the files.
WCL officials are found hesitating and avoiding answers to the posers on the nagging delay over providing the promised jobs to sons of farmers. At the same time, the acquisitioned lands are being mined for coal production. In fact, coal worth crores, excavated from the said land, is being exported and supplied to different places in the country. Crores are being pumped into WCL coffers but the poor children of farmers are being deprived of jobs, promised jobs. Had the farmers sold their lands at today’s market rates, crores would have been in their bank accounts.
The hopeful farmers are running from pillar to post, or say, from one official to another in WCL offices. What they are being doled out is hollow words over the promised jobs. If the situation persists the time is not far away when Yavatmal-like disaster could strike the farmers of Parshioni. The hardnosed WCL forcing the farmers to spend sleepless nights, hungry. A few farmers were provided with jobs, that too after 20 years. But then why the discrimination against these 27 children of the unfortunate farmers? This question is pestering the affected farmers no end. Formalities have been completed. Necessary documents have been submitted. But still there is no visible sign of the farmers receiving appointment letters to their children.
More than 20 years have gone but justice is eluding the farmers. Representations to stalwart leaders like Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and a few others failed to break the ice. Cold shouldering continues. WCL authorities raise their hands whenever the farmers approach them with a hope. However, the hope remains belied even after lapse of 20 years. The jobs to children of farmers remained on papers only. The promising words turning out to be hollow.
