VALPOI
With several cases pertaining to land rights still pending in Sattari taluka, efforts are now being expedited to settle these cases ahead of assembly polls and in the latest such move, 22 cases have been settled in Naneli village of Thane panchayat.
A special Gram Sabha was recently organised by the Panchayat in this regard and those present included panchayat members, forest officers, Baburao Gaonkar, chairman of the Naneli Forest Rights Committee, and a number of locals.
Ever since the notification of the Mhadei Sanctuary, locals in Sattari have been fighting for rights to their lands and have even clashed with authorities.
As part of efforts to settle cases pertaining to land rights, 24 cases had been pending in Naneli-Thane.
During the Gram Sabha which was chaired by Sarpanch Nilesh Parwar, Panchayat Secretary Sarvesh Gaonkar informed that except for two proposals, 22 other proposals have been approved after discussions at various levels.
According to sources, proposals regarding land rights in the village were submitted to the Panchayat and the forest department later verified the claims on the basis of documents attached to the proposals.
Sarpanch Nilesh Parwar said many problems had arisen on account of the notification of the Mhadei Sanctuary.
Meanwhile, land verification is underway in Charavane village of the panchayat area and a special gram sabha will be convened to settle similar cases.
