Navi Mumbai: Sheva Koliwada Displaced Women’s Association temporarily suspended its hunger strike outside Uran Panchayat Samiti after officials assured it that demands concerning displaced families would be considered and their problems addressed. Association began the protest on Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, demanding that the administration take immediate cognisance of the families’ problems, investigate alleged irregularities and act according to rules.Uran Panchayat Samiti group development officer Sarjerao Patil, chairman Mahesh Mhatre and deputy chairman Paresh Thakur met the protesters and assured them that all demands would be considered positively, the problems resolved and no injustice done to anyone.In a statement, Association sought ONGC corporate social responsibility funds to cover individual tap connection costs for families living outside gram panchayat limits. It also demanded disciplinary action under the Maharashtra Civil Service Rules against the gram sevak concerned, Hanuman Koliwada gram panchayat administration and group development officer.Association demanded the immediate closure of connections provided to outside families from Hanuman Koliwada village’s main water supply line. It alleged that a tap connection had been taken without permission from another village’s water supply line and sought an investigation and legal action if wrongdoing was found.It also alleged financial mismanagement and corruption involving village funds, demanding an inquiry and legal action in accordance with the govt decision. “We have demanded that the administration lay a new 1.7km-long, 4-inch-diameter main pipeline to supply water to the transit camp and provide civic amenities,” said Kalyani Koli, a protester.Association office-bearers, women, villagers and social activists attended the protest. Association expressed hope that its demands would soon be accepted and implemented.Sheva Koliwada Displaced Women’s Association is a grassroots community group in Maharashtra fighting for the legal rehabilitation of families displaced by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) project.
