Sena minister takes stand against party’s ‘decision’

Shiv Sena leader and minister for industries Subhash Desai has taken a decision to allow Green Refinery Project in Rajapur of Konkan region when Rajan Salvi, the local Sena legislator along with other Sainiks have been opposing it.

Following the development, a major conflict of interest within the party might open up and could lead to severe cracks.

Moreover, the Project Affected People (PAP) are also distressed by the rate of compensation announced by Desai. The minister has called a meeting at Vidhan Bhavan with the PAP on Monday to listen their grievances.

In the joint venture of the state and the Centre, Green Refinery Petrochemical project is proposed in Nanar and Kumbhwada villages in Rajapur tehsil of Ratnagiri district but local villagers are opposed to the project.

Rajan Salvi, the Sena legislator from Rajapur, has been leading the protestors since last few months. Salvi is the leader who led protests on Jaitapur Nuclear Power project too and due his strong hold in constituency, the project is stuck since the last three to four years.

Industries ministry led by the Sena’ Desai has notified 5453.742 hectare private land and 7.720 hectare government land from 14 villages for the refinery project. Also, the department notified 517.622 hectare private and 41.122 government land for the crude oil terminus.

The land from villages including Karshingwewadi, Sagawe, Vilye, Dattawadi, Palekarwadi, Katradevi, Karawane, Chauke, Nanar, Upale, Padwe, Sakhar, Taral and Gothiwade will be acquired for the refinery project.

Whereas land from Girye and Rameshwar industrial areas will be acquired for oil terminus, Mhalunge Kumbhwade and Wadapalye have been removed from the proposed land acquisition as it comes under the eco- sensitive zone.

In his letter, Desai has stated that the land will be acquired by Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation by ‘pass through’ mode. “We will consider the Jaitapur package of rehabilitation and compensation for the project-affcted people of the refinery,” Desai mentioned in his letter.

While elaborating the process, Desai said MIDC will issue public and personal notice for land acquisition will be given and opportunity to submit objections will also be provided. Later MIDC and land acquisition department will complete joint land measurement. “We will acquire land under the 2013 law of land acquisition and rehabilitation,” Desai assured.

According to one of the PAP members, in Jaitapur, Rs. 22 lakh per hectare was awarded as compensation package. On the other hand, in the Samruddhi Corridor case, Rs. 80 lakh has been awarded as compensation. “Why is the same government differentiating between PAPs of two projects,” he questioned.

Meanwhile, Sena legislator Salvi said, “PAPs have decided to accept the proposed project to be installed in Rajapur. Only thing is about package and we will put it before the minister in a meeting called on Monday at Vidhan Bhavan.” When asked about his opposition, Salvi said, Sangharsh Samiti has decided not to oppose it henceforth.