However the agents operating in Akot division took advantage of the situation and a chain of corruption emanated no sooner the process of rehab began. Taking disadvantage of their illiteracy, the tribals were bundled for Rs. one or Rs. two lakh, although it was decided to pay Rs. 10 lakh in cash to every member (above 18 years) of the project affected families. A few tribals were given Rs. 50 thousand to Rs. 75 thousands. The remaining amount was pocketed by the corrupt forest officers, employees and their agents.
After Ambabarwa sanctuary was given the category of “Tiger” sanctuary under the Melghat Tiger Project, the government decided to rehabilitate those residing in adivasi villages in Ambabarwa. The Akot forest division was entrusted with the work of preparing the list of eligible people. It was decided to pay Rs 10 lakh in cash to every member (above 18 years) of the project-affected families. But instead of adivasis, the others took disadvantage. The Government’s decision opened a greener pasture for the forest officials to graze themselves. They not only cheated the eligible adivasis, but duped the government of crores of rupees by including the names of bogus adivasis in the list of the beneficiaries.
These ghosts in agents’ clothing, fructified crores of rupees by sitting on the neck of the adivasi beneficiaries. Their acts were worse than those of ferocious dogs tearing human bodies, say most of the adivasis in tribal hamlets.
There is a mess in farm land as well. Some of the affected filed complaints from 2017 onwards till the rehab process was completed. However they were brushed under carpet by authorised officers, after their palms were greased. Some of the complainants are still fighting a legal battle.
The middlemen and forest officers rehabilitated themselves in the name of adivasis. Dummy adivasi claimants were prepared with bogus documents. The lakhs of rupees were pocketed in this clandestine deal. The adivasis who sensed this fishy deal, were given half the money. Those who didn’t realise what was happening, remained without getting any compensation.
Nearly Rs 100 crore was swindled in the rehabilitation of the eligible adivasis of Ambabarwa, Pimpalkhuta, Salwan, Pingli, Vari, Vasali, Sonala, Rohin Khidki, Shemba, Gumathi, Chunkhadi and Chachari villages and the government was duped to the tune of over Rs 100 crore. Now it is time that the government conducts the inquiry of those involved in swindling its money allotted for adivasi welfare.
“Rehabilitated” tribals became pauper
The corrupt forest officers who deprived adivasis of their rightful money became crorepati and the adivasis who received a minimal amount became paupers. Most of the adivasis received merely Rs one to Rs Two lakh. Initially they felt elated. That amount was too big for them. But today they do not have their own place in the forest. The cash is already over. No work. Eventually the adivasis, ignorant about money matters, became penniless within two years.
The people from Madhya Pradesh also benefitted
Madhya Pradesh borders the Vidarbha region. As if the torture of tribals of Maharashtra was not enough, the officers of Akot forest division, in collusion with middlemen from Madhya Pradesh, prepared bogus documents in the name of tribals from that state and swallowed the compensation money given by the Maharashtra government for rehabilitation.
Axis Bank officers too connive in corruption
According to sources, the employees and officers of Axis Bank were also part of this mega scam. The accounts in the name of adivasis were opened in Axis Bank and the compensation amount was deposited in them. The money was withdrawn based on the thumb impressions and signatures. However the thumb impressions and signatures were not of the adivasis, but were of the agents and middlemen.
The adivasis were kept in the dark about the actual amount deposited and withdrawn. A coterie of the forest officers, employees, agents and Axis Bank officers eventually sealed the fate of illiterate on paper itself.
