CM Devendra Fadnavis Hands Over Government Resolution to Villagers; Seven-Twelve Land Records to Reach Every Eligible Beneficiary Within Three Months
“Palghar Will Be Among Maharashtra’s Top Five Developed Districts, with Local Communities at the Centre of Growth,” Says Chief Minister
Palghar, October 2026: The decades-long struggle of families displaced by the Dhamni Dam project under the Surya irrigation project has finally come to an end, with the Maharashtra government granting land ownership rights to eligible residents of Hanumannagar and Chandranagar villages in Palghar taluka. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis handed over copies of the government resolution to villagers during a programme organised at Hanumannagar under the state government’s Seva Sankalp Abhiyan 2026.
Describing the occasion as a historic milestone, Fadnavis said, “Today is a golden day for these villages.”
The rehabilitation process for families displaced by the Dhamni Dam project began in 1968. The families were relocated to the area by 1978, and rehabilitation was declared complete in 1982. However, because land surveys, demarcation and the preparation of ownership records remained incomplete, the families could not obtain legal ownership of the land on which they had settled.
The villagers’ sustained efforts, supported by Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, District Collector Dr Indu Rani Jakhar and the project-affected people’s committee, eventually brought the issue to the Chief Minister’s Office. Fadnavis directed officials to place the proposal before the state Cabinet within 15 days. The Cabinet approved it unanimously last week, resolving a long-pending issue within days of the proposal being taken up.
Land records to be issued within three months
To ensure that the decision translates into actual benefits, Fadnavis announced a time-bound implementation plan. He directed the Konkan Divisional Commissioner and the District Collector to ensure that every eligible beneficiary in Hanumannagar and Chandranagar receives a seven-twelve land record, commonly known as a 7/12 extract, within the next three months.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to deal sensitively with cases involving documentary deficiencies and ensure that no eligible beneficiary is deprived of the benefit. He assured the administration that the government would firmly support decisions taken in favour of deserving beneficiaries.
At the villagers’ request, Fadnavis also asked the District Collector to take both villages under special adoption on his behalf. He directed officials to reassess infrastructure requirements and ensure that all essential facilities available in rural areas are extended to the villages.
Assuring that there would be no shortage of funds or administrative support, he said he would personally review the progress after three months.
Chandranagar may get an independent gram panchayat
The state government is considering a proposal to establish a separate gram panchayat for Chandranagar. Although the creation of new gram panchayats is currently restricted due to the ongoing census process, Fadnavis said the proposal could be expedited if it was complete and the necessary special permission was obtained from the Census Commissioner.
He clarified that the decision would not be limited to the two villages. All eligible project-affected families elsewhere in Palghar district who were rehabilitated for various projects but have not yet received land rights would also be considered for similar relief.
Fadnavis said Palghar was among the leading districts in Maharashtra in the distribution of forest rights titles. The process would continue until every eligible beneficiary received a title, and forest rights holders would be helped to access the benefits of government schemes.
Development with local communities at the centre
Outlining his vision for Palghar, the Chief Minister said projects such as Vadhavan Port, the proposed airport, the bullet train and road infrastructure developments were positioning the district as a gateway to Maharashtra’s growth.
“People are more important to us than projects. Development that renders local people landless is not development but destruction,” he said.
He added that new rehabilitation standards had been established, under which quality infrastructure, civic amenities and employment opportunities would form integral parts of rehabilitation. Projects were being planned to ensure that local residents secured jobs and that prosperity reached their homes.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years in public leadership, Fadnavis said the government was working in accordance with the principle of Sarvajan Hitaya—the welfare of all.
He pledged to involve tribal communities, farmers, agricultural labourers and women in the development process and work towards making Palghar one of Maharashtra’s five most developed districts.
Comparing the villagers’ prolonged struggle with the exile endured by Lord Rama and the Pandavas, Fadnavis said, “You have endured a struggle far longer than the exile faced by Lord Rama and the Pandavas. Today, your period of hardship has ended, and a new dawn has begun for you.”
With Navratri due to begin in two days, he described the decision as a blessing for the villagers and congratulated the officials, public representatives, organisations and citizens who had contributed to resolving the issue.
Seva Sankalp Abhiyan aims to reach those in need
Forest Minister and Palghar Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik said major infrastructure projects, including Vadhavan Port, the bullet train and the proposed airport, would accelerate the district’s development. He stressed that the benefits must reach people living in coastal, urban and hilly areas alike.
Naik said the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan should go beyond completing paperwork and registering people for government services. Its primary objective, he said, was to reach needy citizens, understand their problems, provide assistance and strengthen public trust in the administration.
He noted that the campaign, being conducted from September 17 to October 17, 2026, seeks to ensure that government schemes and services reach ordinary citizens effectively, particularly those facing difficulties in accessing benefits.
Separate land records for forest rights holders
In her introductory remarks, District Collector Dr Indu Rani Jakhar highlighted the state government’s decision to simplify access to government schemes for forest rights holders and formally recognise their land rights in official records.
She said a government resolution issued on July 10, 2024, had approved amendments to the rules allowing separate village forms 7/E for forest rights holders and 12/E for recording crops. The measure, she said, would provide significant relief to tribal forest rights holders and make it easier for them to access government welfare schemes.
Dignitaries attend the programme
The programme was attended by Forest Minister and Palghar Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, Tribal Area Review Committee chairman Vivek Pandit and MP Dr Hemant Savara.
MLAs Rajendra Gavit, Vilas Tare, Harishchandra Bhoye, Rajan Naik and Sneha Dubey Pandit, along with Padma Shri awardee Tarpa musician Bhiklya Dinda, were also present.
Other attendees included Konkan Divisional Commissioner Rubal Agrawal, Konkan Range Special Inspector General of Police Chandrakishor Meena, District Collector Dr Indu Rani Jakhar, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Manoj Ranade and Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh, along with officials from various departments, project-affected families and a large number of villagers.
