Irsalwadi survivors feel let down by politicians

These days those residing in the containers are unable to stay in the container during the day

Betrayed and battered by the elements, the survivors of the Irsalwadi landslide near Khalapur in Raigad district now feel let down by the elected representatives. The survivors collectively are yet to make up their mind on voting while some in their individual capacity are keen to vote as doing so would give them an opportunity to question their elected representatives. Forty-two families continue to stay in the makeshift temporary containers, in Chouk, Khalapur, post the landslide that swallowed the entire village and they claim that none of them have voter card.

Have voted in the past

Madhav Maruti Sutak, 25, had voted in the last election and this time, was keen to cast his vote, but without a voting card, he is unsure if he will be able to cast his vote. "Our entire Irsalwadi got wiped off by the landslide. Nearly 84 people (27 dead bodies recovered and 57 missing) were presumed dead, with many bodies getting trapped under the debris. We lost everything, including our family members, within no time," he recalled.

Maadhav and his family are amongst others who have not received their replacement voting cards after they lost the original beneath the debris after the landslide. Pics/Madhav Maruti Sutak

"I had voted during the last election, but this year, all the survivors including the first-time voters staying in the makeshift containers, will miss their chance to vote, as we do not have our voting card," said Madhav.Similar concern was raised by Kamlu Changu Pardhi, 63, another survivor, who said, "I too do not have my voter card. I had voted in previous elections, but I not certain about this election if I would be allowed to vote without my voter card."

Irsalwadi wiped off

Jagdish Pardhi, 32, said, "I am not sure, if Irsalwadi exists anymore, our entire Irsalwadi is under the debris. Even though I do not have my voter card, none of the election officials or candidates or their representatives have visited us, nor have we been assisted in making our new voter card."

‘We are left in the lurch'

Sutak is keen to vote as he will get an opportunity to seek accountability from their elected representative for abandoning them. When asked to elaborate, he claims, "We have been in lurch for the last couple of months - we are left to fend for ourselves. We have no potable water, the water filter that has been installed is not cleaned for months and now the water we consume stinks. Besides, the elevated water tank has also not been cleaned. Since summer has set in, our taps run dry, most of the time."

Relatives of the victims at Nanavli Gaon in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE

"We were assured of monthly ration and provisions, but other than getting 25 kg of rice and 10 kg of wheat on our ration card, we have to arrange for all provisions required for cooking from oil to spices, including getting groceries and vegetables," said Jagdish. The community dispensary which was to have round-the-clock doctors is non-functional. "We are forced to go to Aapla Dawakhana in Chouk, for any health issues

‘No job'

The state chief Minister himself had assured us of giving jobs to us so that we could make a living, but till date, we have not any sign of the government making a move in this regard, said Sutak. When asked about the source of livelihood, he said, "While some of the survivors, who were employed, continue to work, and those who were looking forward for government assistance in getting a job, are still without a job. We are forced to work as daily labourers for R300 per day, on a temporary basis. Some people visit our area, and handpick a few of us, for doing the labour work, and the remaining days we have no work."

Extreme heat

With rise in temperature during day time (Tuesday temperature in Khalapur was around 41°C, as per private weather report) those staying in the makeshift containers, with asbestos sheet as roof are finding it extremely difficult to spend time inside the dwellings, due to extreme heat.

When asked about ventilation, Sunil Parde, another survivor said, "It is so humid inside the container and as days progresses it becomes impossible to stay indoors. Even the small fans provided in the container make the situation worse by circulating the humid air. We spend most of the time outside the container, under shades of branches. Also, at night, most people prefer to sleep outside the container, rather than inside. Even the water kept in earthen pots too remains warm, making it tasteless for consumption."

Death certificates awaited

Out of 84 presumed dead, only twenty-five plus death certificates have been issued by the district administration, so far. "We have not received death certificates of our next of kin. And even attempts to contact the new district collector did not yield any results. The previous collector (Dr Yogesh Mhase) was fully aware about our conditions and the work was happening, on a war footing basis. But he has been transferred and even district administration officials, who were otherwise visiting us regularly, have stopped their visits," claims Sutak.

‘Yet to receive full compensation'

Most of the survivors have not received the full compensation, as assured by the government, they claim.

While the both central and state governments were to pay Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh respectively as ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of the dead victims in the landslide, many still await the full compensation. "I lost five members of my family in the landslide and I have not received the full compensation," said Jagdish.

Out of 84 people, the rescue team could retrieve only 27 dead bodies from the debris before they called off the search and rescue operation, due to extreme weather conditions. The remaining 57 villagers were declared missing. The survivors, requested the state government to declare all the missing villagers, as ‘presumed dead' to avail the government compensation, as announced. "I was in touch with a district administration official inquiring about the pending death certificate, and I was told that I will have to wait for a few years before the death certificate could be handed over," said Sutak.

Collective decision on ‘voting'

The survivors are keen to have a discussion on the forthcoming election and whether they want to cast their vote.

Some even want to boycott the election as none of their demands have been met and they are left to suffer. "We will be taking a collective decision on voting soon," said one of the survivors.

Other side

Ayub Tamboli, tahsildar, Khalapur said, "As per the revenue records Irsalwadi, comes under Assembly Constituency 190, and the polling station for the survivors will be Morbewadi polling station." When informed that the survivors have not received the voting cards, Tamboli expressed surprise and said, "We had taken special camps for getting their Aadhaar and ration cards made and voting cards might have been issued to some, if not, I will need to check."

Voters slip and one of the 12 documents can be used as a proof for exercising their franchise. Aadhaar card, job card issued under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), passbooks with photographs issued by banks or post offices, health insurance smart card issued under schemes of the Ministry of Labour, drivers' license, PAN card, smart card issued by the Registrar General of India under the National Population Register, passport, pension document with photograph, service identity cards with photographs for employees of Central and State governments, official identity cards for MPs and MLAs and UDID card for persons with disabilities.