Gadchiroli March 15 (District Correspondent) Alleging that one Shrinivas Dontula, a resident of Telangana has cheated them with crores of rupees in the name of ‘Make in Gadchiroli’ Scheme, some youths and women beneficiaries in the district have launched indefinite hunger strike in front of the collectorate here. The strikers have also alleged that the Gadchiroli MLA Dr. Deorao Holi also is involved in the case and have demanded action against the both.
Gangadhar Shedmake, Mahesh Pustode, Kailash Ghutke, Kashinath Pendam, Ms. Kalpana Kolte, Lalita Karkade, Vanita Lakde and Kiran Kolte are the beneficiaries who have started this hunger strike from Monday.
The ‘Make in Gadchiroli’ scheme was started in Gadchiroli district some five years back under the leadership of Dr. Holi. Under this scheme, the beneficiaries were lured to provide plots of land in MIDC area on hundred percent subsidy for the businesses like fisheries, incense sticks, tractor, rice mills, jcb machine, poultry and others. For this crore of rupees were collected from the concerned youths and women, alleged the beneficiaries in a memorandum submitted to the District Collector.
Many of beneficiaries started their businesses by borrowing private loan but they did not get the subsidy as assured by Dontula who has been working as the Manager of the Scheme and the MLA. On the contrary, lakhs of rupees were taken in the name of these beneficiaries. For incense stick business, a loan of Rs. 2 lakhs each was borrowed from the banks in the name of some women., it has been further alleged adding that the bankers have started recovery from the women.
When the women came to know that they have been cheated, they started demanding their money back from Dontula and Dr. Holi but they are avoiding it. Both the MLA and Dontulwar gave us false promises and cheated us, the women and the youths have alleged.
A complaint was earlier registered with the Police Station in this regard but they have not taken any action as yet hence we have now started indefinite hunger strike and will not withdraw it unless action is not taken against the MLA and Dontula, said the beneficiaries.
When some of the beneficiaries met the District Collector today, he assured them to look into the matter.
Photo The beneficiaries seated on the hunger strike.
