Sivaganga (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 6 (ANI): After a video showed that the Nadagudi village near Sivaganga is deserted and lacks basic amenities, Congress MP from Sivaganga Karti P Chidambaram on Wednesday clarified that over the past four years, government schemes have brought development work worth 31.85 lakh rupees to the village, including drinking water, electricity, and roads.

In a post on X, Karti P Chidambaram wrote, 'In the village of Nattagudi, over the past four years, various development works worth 31 lakh 85 thousand rupees have been undertaken under government schemes, and basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity, and roads are available, according to the Sivagangai District Collector.'

https://x.com/KartiPCoffice/status/1952947735310811444

Sivagangai District Collector K Porkodi, IAS, has also given his clarification on the situation in the Nadagudi village.

According to the Collector, over the past four years, development work worth Rs 31.85 lakhs has been carried out in Nattagudi under various government schemes. The village has a total of 56 houses, with around 24 currently occupied by residents primarily engaged in agriculture on their own land.

The Collector acknowledged that some villagers have temporarily relocated to nearby Sivagangai Municipality in search of employment and livelihood opportunities. However, an inquiry by the Revenue Department and the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats confirmed that this move is temporary.

In the larger Mathur Panchayat area, a total of Rs 2.41 crores has been invested in development projects across six villages in the last four years. Specifically, in Nattagudi, key projects include the installation of 315 meters of drinking water pipelines supplying 35 houses at a cost of Rs 2.57 lakhs.

Additionally, a 10,000-litre overhead water tank and a 5,000-litre mini motor pump provide a daily water supply.

Collector Porkodi stated that essential infrastructure such as roads, drinking water facilities, and street lighting has been developed in the village. She assured that the district administration will address any additional needs raised by residents on a priority basis.

Earlier, a villager from Nadagudi, Thangaraj, claimed that the village, located 15 kilometres from Sivaganga, has been gradually deserted due to a lack of drinking water and basic facilities.

Thangaraj urged the District Collector and Chief Minister to provide proper security, drinking water, and school facilities so people can return and rebuild their lives.

Speaking to ANI, Thangaraj claimed, 'Our village is called Nadagudi. It is located 15 kilometres from Sivaganga. Until recently, there were people living here. Due to the lack of drinking water and other basic facilities, families gradually began to move out of the village. Recently, 2 murders happened in the village. This led the remaining families to feel unsafe, and they too left the village. I humbly request the District Collector and the Chief Minister to provide proper security, drinking water, and school facilities in our village, so that our people can return and rebuild their lives here.' (ANI)