363

ANNEXURE 4.1

Project Affected Villages in Uran: No. Of Households and Total Population (1970 – 2001)

Villages of Western Uran

Sr. No. VILLAGE PAP STATUS

2001 1991 1981 1971

No_HH TOT_P No_HH TOT_P No_HH TOT_P No_HH TOT_P

1 Belondakhar CIDCO 115 638 89 519 69 420 382

2 Bhendkhal CIDCO 706 3148 562 2648 543 2505 1345

3 Bokadvira CIDCO 496 2222 348 1903 242 1483 1314

4 Boripakhadi CIDCO 241 1143 138 533 19 100 141

5 Chanje CIDCO 3497 16707 2475 12452 1845 9944 7823

6 Chirle JNPT 588 2931 455 2277 327 1974 2660

7 Dhutum JNPT 390 1773 257 1460 222 1282 .. ..

8 Dongari CIDCO 278 1243 218 1110 161 914 781

9 Funde JNPT 306 1329 253 1122 208 1024 903

10 Gharapuri .. 183 860 144 752 153 781 775

11 Hanuman Koliwada JNPT 268 1234 210 1057 .. .. .. ..

12 Jasai JNPT 1479 6477 762 3623 449 2386 1963

13 Jaskhar JNPT 625 2693 346 1674 257 1584 1296

14 Juna Sheva JNPT 192 691 120 493 446 2572 2290

15 Kaladhonda CIDCO 476 2078 136 713 138 618 342

16 Karal JNPT 185 791 133 635 91 479 430

17 Kauli Bandhankhar Uninhabited 0

18 Kauli Belodakhar Uninhabited 0

19 Mhatwali CIDCO 518 2218 328 1409 259 1231 904

20 Muthekhar Uninhabited 0

21 Nagaon CIDCO 736 3193 697 2899 549 3001 1156

22 Navghar JNPT 2148 8761 823 3588 272 1391 1252

23 Navin Sheva JNPT 607 2583 321 1669 .. ..

24 Pagote JNPT 237 1123 205 1015 139 763 624

25 Panje CIDCO 206 1114 183 981 145 768 677

26 Paundkhar JNPT 37 173 39 227 21 127 106

27 Ranwad CIDCO 337 1492 239 1166 214 974 874

28 Sawarkhar JNPT 213 816 112 519 83 454 506

29 Shematikhar Uninhabited 0

30 Sonari JNPT 590 2581 365 1797 260 1475 1235

31 Waltikhar Uninhabited 0

364

Villages of Eastern Uran

Sr. No. VILLAGE PROJECT

2001 1991 1981 1971

No_HH TOT_P No_HH TOT_P No_HH TOT_P No_HH TOT_P

1 Antrabamdakhar Uninhabited 0 0

2 Aware MMSEZ Phase I 738 3347 636 3162 436 2684 2241

3 Bandhpada MMSEZ (Partial) 334 1553 246 1201 .. .. .. ..

4 Bhom Not affected 259 1047 94 418 107 469 337

5 Bori Bk. Not affected 154 718 129 616 96 505 362

6 Boricha Kotha Uninhabited 0 0

7 Chikhali Bhom Uninhabited 0 0

8 Chirner Not affected 900 4134 824 3822 733 3681 3164

9 Dhasakhosi MMSEZ (Partial) 112 493 111 454 .. .. .. ..

10 Dighode Not affected 460 2323 356 2123 293 1823 1461 11 Govathane MMSEZ Phase I 395 1893 315 1696 255 1576 1343

12 Harishchandra Pimpale Not affected 171 798 142 694 115 621 180

13 Jui MMSEZ (Partial) 515 2688 412 2208 313 1750 1434

14 Juipunade Uninhabited 0

15 Kacherpada MMSEZ (Partial) 310 1438 271 1300 486 2511 ..

16 Kadape MMSEZ Phase I 38 172 22 114 8 37 ..

17 Kalambusare Not affected 310 1590 285 1455 252 1258 1071

18 Kanthavali Not affected 76 320 54 280 42 235 191

19 Koproli MMSEZ (Partial) 558 2533 443 2335 384 1887 3835

20 Pale Not affected 197 941 163 876 139 700 685

21 Pirkone MMSEZ (Partial) 605 2935 491 2498 435 2081 1913

22 Pohi Not affected 9 40 13 52 11 50 31

23 Punade MMSEZ (Partial) 173 830 169 807 111 655 598

24 Ransai Not affected 230 904 183 858 141 705 681

25 Sangpalekhar MMSEZ Phase I 4 41 11 17 Uninhabited Uninhabited

26 Sarde MMSEZ (Partial) 281 1243 235 1160 194 903

27 Taki (N.V.) Not affected 98 460

28 Talbandkhar MMSEZ (Partial) 6 28 2 12 Uninhabited Uninhabited

29 Vasheni MMSEZ (Partial) 575 2728 451 2327 366 2541 2532

30 Veshvi Not affected 337 1664 298 1521 212 1261 1108

31 Vindhane Not affected 499 2304 457 2278 349 1988 2042

365

ANNEXURE 4.2

Natural Occupations of Agris

Sr.

No.

OCCUPATION DETAILS

A. SALTLANDS/LOWLANDS

1. Salt land cultivation Paddy cultivation without ploughing

2. Salt production Production, transport, marketing and storage

3. Sea and creek fishing Fish catching, selling, salting, drying and storing

4. Animal husbandry and poultry On a minor scale

5. Forest resource extraction On a minor scale (fruits, leaves, etc.)

6. Mineral extraction Sand, pearls, shells, oysters and shell-fish

7. Water transport Transport of goods and people in small, medium

and large boats

8. Wage labour

9. Large-scale threshing Done using hired oxen

10. Fuel wood collection Collection is done from mangroves

11. Tank and pond fish cultivation

B. MIDLANDS

1. Paddy cultivation Ploughing is done

2. Garden cultivation Flowers, fruits and vegetables

3. Horticulture Extraction, processing and sale of fruits (coconut,

betelnut, dates, coconut kernels, toddy, date sugar,

etc.)

4. Craftsmanship Making of brooms, baskets, ropes, bamboo

channels, etc.

5. Sugarcane cultivation

6. Forest resource extraction Extraction of fruits (mango, cashew, etc.), seeds

and timber

7. Animal husbandry and collection of

manure

Caring for, breeding and generation cow-dung and

manure

8. Rent of draught animals Rented to salt land areas

9. Fish cultivation In tanks and wells

10. Creek fishing and water transport If there is a creek close by

11. Labour Agricultural labour, carpentry, masonry, etc.

12. Sand mining

13. Goods transport using bullock cart

14. Betel leaf cultivation

15. Stone carving Making blocks for building construction

C. UPLANDS

1. Paddy cultivation With ploughing

2. Vegetable cultivation

3. Palm tapping, date jaggery

production and sale

4. Cultivation of food crops Millets (Ragi), rice, etc.

366

5. Horticulture Fruits and timber extraction

6. Stone carving Making and selling stone blocks for construction

7. Making of bullock carts and bullock

cart wheels

Production and sale

8. Fleece collection from goats

9. Animal husbandry Rearing, breeding, marketing, and meat

10. Hunting Forest animals

11. River fishing

12. Collection and sale of minor forest

produce

Fruits, gum, roots, lac, herbs, leaves, honey, fuel

wood, timber for house construction and boats,

etc.

13. Sale of straw/dry grass

14. Goods transport by bullock cart

15. Organic manure production Cow dung collection, preparation of manure,

compost, etc.

16. Wage labour Source: Madhavi, Kashinath (2013): Uttar Konkanchya Itihasatil Agri Gotra Ganga

367

ANNEXURE 5.1

Characteristics of the Agri Community as Perceived by Kashinath Madhavi

1. Joie de vivre from their interconnections with nature (Utshrinkhalpana-

uthavalepanna): Like the Sonkolis the Agris are a community that had to

continuously face the challenges of the Indian Ocean, with its storms and fierce

winds. The Agri clan was formed living with the rhythm of the tides, waves and

salty winds and in doing so have absorbed the qualities and rhythms of the sea.

2. Seamanship (Daryavardipana): The prime means of access to all the needs of the

community – rice, salt, timber, herbs, etc. – has been the waterways of Uran

taluka due to which this community as developed the expertise of navigation and

handling boats of various sizes (hodiya, machchve, padaav). This skill has led to

the creation of surnames such as Tandel and Naik among the community.

3. Hardy and sinewy (Kaatakpana): The physique of the Agri people has been

shaped by their negotiation of the harsh terrain and extreme climatic conditions of

the North Konkan since ancient times – the overgrown uneven hills, forests,

marshlands, torrential monsoon rains, blistering summer heat, and dangerous

creatures such as scorpions, snakes and tigers.

4. Hardworking (Kaabaadkashti): The nature of the soil and terrain precluded the

use of draught animals, particularly in the salt lands. For all the requirements of

cultivation soil, fertiliser and water had to be manually carried from its source to

the fields and without extremely hard labour it was impossible to survive.

5. Alcohol-loving (Darubaaj): This was seen as a natural outcome of living in an

environment where date, palm and other trees were available in plenty at each

one’s doorstep. Besides, alcohol consumption was seen as an aid in the

community’s efforts to brave the elements and survive the harsh life in the North

Konkan.

6. Self-respecting and proud (Swabhimani): With the varied resources available from

the land (lowlands, midlands and uplands) and the sea the Agri community were

completely self-sufficient, never needing to migrate even in times of famine. This

condition of self-sufficiency gave the community its sense of pride and self-

worth.

7. Thrifty/Frugal (Mithavyayipana): Resources and agricultural produce were never

wasted or used carelessly as the peasants were aware of the unpredictability of the

climate. Conditions often prevailed when extra seeds and other resources were

required. Thus the peasants ate what was needed, sold what was needed and

stored the remainder for times of need. Frugality was also a necessary trait as each

peasant’s holdings were extremely small. Most worked as tenants under the

exploitative deshmukhi and khoti systems.

368

8. Fearless (Nirbhayatha): This became a natural trait that came from facing the

ferociousness of the elements in the region and having to negotiate the dangers of

sea, river and creek waters particularly during the monsoons.

9. Straightforward and simple (not crafty) (Dhoorthayi): The community believes

that apart from a few exceptions, the majority of the Agris are simple at heart.

[Proof of this is said to lie in their backwardness relative to other communities

who have taken over their land!]

10. Cooperative spirit (Sahakaari Vrithi): The nature of terrain and life in the region

was such that it was impossible to survive without the help of family and

community. Agriculture and other livelihoods had to be undertaken through

shared labour and in groups.

11. Hatred for adultery and debauchery (Vybhichaar Dveshtepana): Such offences

were strictly prohibited and decent behaviour enforced through the offices of the

local people’s court, village and caste institutions. [The evolution of such strong

institutions is perhaps related to the importance of family and community support

for survival.]

12. Naturally beautiful (especially the women) (Pushpaashakti): Pride in their own

natural beauty is celebrated by both Agris and Sonkolis through song and verse.

[The documented admiration of travellers through their lands is additionally

supplied as proof of the matter.]

13. Showmanship and cultural talent (Tamaasgiri): The Agri community is well

known for its songs (lavani) and ballad (povade) compositions.

14. Service-oriented – not pirates (Chaanchegiri Nhave – Sewagiri): This is an

accolade that was won in the 13th

century when piracy on the west coast of India

was rampant as the Agris did not succumb to the temptation of joining hands with

the pirates.

15. Religiosity (Ishwarbhaav): The community prides itself on being very particular

about festivals, rituals and customs demanded by the Hindu faith. Each village has

a deity of its own.

16. Warrior-like (Kshatriatvaachi Gunvatha): The community has the combination of

qualities of bravery, sharpness, courage and ability to stand their ground that

make good soldiers or warriors (kshatriyas).

17. Militant (Sangraamivrithi): The many struggles in which the Agri community

participated are proof of this trait.

Source: Uttar Konkanchya Itihasatil Agri Gotra Ganga, 2013 by Kashinath Madhavi Translated by: Rekha Mammen; ‘[ ]’ Comments added

369

ANNEXURE 5.2

Distribution of Karadi Community in Mumbai and Raigad Districts

Source: (Shinde, 2007)

DIVISION Inaccessible islands, estuarine salt marshlands, creek banks, rocky terrain, etc.

No. of villages

Minimally developed lands of large villages in backward areas

No. of villages

Adequately developed lands in non-backward villages

No. of villages

Taluka place

No. of places

Cities and district municipal areas

No. of places

Advanced towns

No. of places

Total no. of villages/ places

Remarks

Panvel Jui, Vaghivli, Ulve, Dungi, Khande

5 Vichumbe, Asurli, Peth Kalundre, Naopada, Kamothe, Vaghivanli, Vaada, Bambali Pada, Cinchpada (Kombadbuje)

9 Bhingari 1 Panvel (ghati aali)

1

-

0

-

0 16 In Jui, Vaghivli, and Chinchpada Karadis contitute approx. 95-98% of the population

Uran Moti Jui (A and B), Navghar, Pagote, Panje, Vedhi, Dadar pada

7 Pandive, Vindhane, Jambhulpada

3 Dighode, Jasai

2 Uran (Kot, Mora)

1

-

0

-

0 13 Moti Jui A and B have 90-95% Karadi population

Chaul Juihabbas (Pen), Anand Nagar (Pen)

2 Bhonang, Tajapur, Nangarvadi, (Malade) Bhilji, Borghar, Aare, Dongri, Kokban (Umathe)

8 Kasu Shenvai

2 Murud (Gavande Pakhadi)

1

-

0 Chaul, Revdanda, Nagaon

3 16 Bhonang, Tajapur, Nangarvadi, (Malade) have 90-95% Karadi population

Mumbai -

0 -

0 -

0 -

0 Mumbai, Thane (Mazgaon)

1 -

0 1

Total no. of places

14 20 5 3 1 3 46

370

ANNEXURE 5.3

Extracts Relating to Salt from the Gandhi-Irwin Pact

Vide Home Department Notification No. S.481-Political dated 5th

March 1931

Clause 20: Government are unable to condone breaches of the existing law, relating to

the salt administration, nor are they able, in the present financial conditions of the

country, to make substantial modifications in the Salt Acts.

For the sake, however, of giving relief to certain people of the poorer classes, they

are prepared to extend their administrative provisions on lines already prevailing in

certain places, in order to permit local residents in villages, immediately adjoining areas

where salt can be collected or made, to collect or make salt for domestic consumption or

sale within such villages, but not for sale to, or trading with, individuals living outside

them.

Clause 21: In the event of Congress failing to give full effect to the obligations of this

settlement, Government will take such action as may, in consequence become necessary

for the protection of the public and individuals and the due observance of law and order.

Further clarifications of the above were issued by the Finance Department (Central

Revenues) in a press communiqué dated 22nd

May 1931:

1. Clause 20 is intended to benefit the poor classes. It will be open therefore to those

in villages adjoining salt areas to make or collect salt for domestic use and sale in

their respective villages.

NOTE: Domestic use shall include use for manure, cattle or fish-curing by individual

fishermen.

2. For this purpose the villagers may make salt pans or beds.

3. There should be no sale of salt for purposes of trade outside the villages. It

follows therefore that such salt can be carried only on foot and not in carts or such

other conveyances.

4. Wherever manufacture of salt under the foregoing clause is permitted salt pans

will not be dirtied or otherwise interfered with by Government officers and

regular watches will be withdrawn.

5. The concession will be withdrawn from villages where it is found that it is

abused. Wherever it is discovered that salt is manufactured or collected in

quantities above the requirements of a particular village abuse of the concession

will be presumed.

Source: (Aggarwal, 1976)

371

ANNEXURE 5.4

Struggles of the PAPs in New Mumbai and the Outcomes

YEAR PROJECT PAP

VILLAGE(S)

NATURE OF

STRUGGLE

DEMANDS OUTCOME LEADERS

1970 Acquisition

notices issued

95 villages

(Thane, Panvel

and Uran)

1971 Survey of area to

be acquired

95 villages

(Thane, Panvel

and Uran)

Road block and

demonstration with slogan

shouting and stone

throwing

No survey Survey discontinued D.B. Patil,

Bokadvira

villagers

1978 Uran town

bypass road to

transport

materials for

proposed ONGC

plant

Nagaon,

Bokadvira,

Mulekhand,

Balai-Kotnaka

Road work disrupted Jobs in ONGC Jobs given Comrade

Purohit

Morcha in Mumbai; chain

fasting at Uran after

delays in resolving issue

Increase

compensation

from Rs.6k to

Rs.50k

Compensation amount

increased to Rs.15k

Comrade

Purohit

1979 MIDC water

supply pipeline

to ONGC plant

Villages en

route from

Ransai to

Bokadvira

Pipeline work obstructed

and stopped at Bokadvira

Land rent to

farmers through

whose fields the

pipeline passed

Land rent was paid according

to pipe length until CIDCO

paid compensation for entire

land

Bokadvira

village level

leaders

1980 MSEB Gas

Turbine Thermal

Power Station

Bokadvira,

Bhendkhal,

Funde, Dongri

Obstructed landfilling

work soon after it started

Jobs in MSEB All PAPs given temporary

jobs as NMR for manual

labour

Bokadvira

village level

leaders

372

YEAR PROJECT PAP

VILLAGE(S)

NATURE OF

STRUGGLE

DEMANDS OUTCOME LEADERS

1980 MSEB Gas

Turbine Thermal

Power Station

Contd.

Bokadvira,

Bhendkhal,

Funde, Dongri

Obstructed and halted

construction work at the

final stage; gherao of

Uran project office for an

entire day

Jobs in MSEB 225 jobs given in plant and

other MSEB establishments

in Thane and Raigad districts

also on the principle 'one

notice one job'; Age and

educational qualifications

waived for appointment as

Line Helper

Bokadvira

village level

leaders

1984

Relocation of

Sheva village

Bokadvira Stopped landfill work Recognition as

JNPT PAPs

PAP notices received Village

Sarpanch and

Chairperson of

Bokadvira

Village

Jobs in JNPT Jobs given Village

Sarpanch and

Chairperson of

Bokadvira

Village

1989

BPCL plant and

pipeline

Bhendkhal,

Bokadvira,

Funde and

Dongri

Joint village committee

formed and meetings held

at Tehsil, Regional and

Collector's offices

Jobs in BPCL 40 jobs offered Village level

leaders from

each village

Split among PAPs and

differentiation between

'project affected' and

'pipeline affected'

373

YEAR PROJECT PAP

VILLAGE(S)

NATURE OF

STRUGGLE

DEMANDS OUTCOME LEADERS

1989

BPCL plant and

pipeline contd.

Bhendkhal,

Bokadvira,

Funde and

Dongri

Joint village committee

meeting held at Alibag on

Collector's invitation

All BPCL

contract work to

be given to

PAPs (Demand

from Bhendkhal

leaders)

55 jobs offered Village level

leaders from

each village

Obstructed pipeline work Jobs for all

PAPs

Demonstrators arrested and

cases registered against D.B.

Patil and 350 to 400 villagers

D. B. Patil and

village level

leaders of

Bokadvira

Continued obstruction of

pipeline work

Jobs for all

PAPs

Contractor offered bribe of

bag full of money and asked

villagers and leader to name

their respective price

Village level

leaders of

Bokadvira

village

Continued obstruction of

pipeline work

Jobs for all

PAPs

All work halted

1990

BPCL plant and

pipeline

Villagers invited MLA

Datta Patil to mediate in

the matter

Jobs for all

PAPs

Number of jobs offered

increased to 80

MLA Datta Patil

BPCL management called

for state level intervention

as urgency for project

completion increased

Jobs for all

PAPs

190 PAPs given notices and

absorbed within stipulated 3

years

MLA Datta Patil

(PWP),

Dattusheth Patil

(PWP), MLA

Comrade

Prabhakar

Sanjgiri, and

village level

leaders

374

ANNEXURE 5.5

I Am a PAP Woman

(Me Prakalpanchi Bai)1

By Vasanti Thakur, Jaskhar Village

I am a project affected woman; tears do not stop flowing from my eyes

Now the government says, nobody walk there

Fertile fields like emeralds, salt pans like shiny pearls

Outsiders have become owners, the erstwhile owners thieves

Memories lead to tearful eyes, who will wipe them dry?

I am a project affected woman; tears do not stop flowing from my eyes

The government said – jobs for your sons

Cars to cruise around, bungalows to live in

When it came to employing them, the boss said

Your son knows nothing, the educated boys know nothing

How will this do?

After studying the boys are unemployed,

They wander door to door searching

For each notice only one job, leave aside the daughters

What is one to eat?

After giving land, we died asking for cash in return

The companies came, four people became rich

What audience will they give me?

Didn’t we at least manage on our fields and salt pans, eating our hard-earned bread (bhakri)?

Now that people can’t survive what should one feel?

The gutters of buildings flow through our villages

The rivers are gone, the streams have gone, even the ponds are filled in

Landfills fall on our coastal salt lands

The jitada2 has now disappeared

Then there was fresh fish made into curry, rice cut from our fields

And made into bhakri (bread), eaten hot off the pan

Now store-bought rice and frozen fish

Can you climb down the mountain anymore?

I am a project affected woman; tears do not stop flowing from my eyes…

1 The poem was translated by the researcher.

2 The jitada is a tasty fish for which this region was famous, but is now hardly found.