Sanjay Gandhi National Park authorities had promised her a permanent job in writing soon after her husbandu00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u0099s death in April 2010, but it's only been lip service and empty promises so far
Tara Gimbhal and her daughter, now 20, at their home in the park area
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Instead of helping her deal with her husband’s death, over the last eight years, Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) authorities have simply made things difficult for 45-year-old Tara Gimbhal. After her husband Harichand died in a lion attack during a safari at the park in 2010, authorities had promised her a permanent job. However, it still remains a distant dream.
Financial woes
Mother to a 20-year-old, Tara has been trying to make ends meet with the meagre Rs 8,000 she gets by working as a daily-wager at the park. Due to the financial crisis, her daughter left her studies two years back and started helping Tara in her daily chores.
“Whenever I visited the park’s regional office in Gorai, officials would tell me that my work would be done in a couple of months. When a list of names of contractual employees, who were going to get permanent jobs, was put up, I found my husband’s name on it. But it was also mentioned that he had died. When I met officials, they told me that the process of giving that job to me would take some time, as a lot of paperwork needed to be done.”
After this, Tara waited for another four months, during which she received a compensation of R1.5 lakh. “When I approached the authorities [for the job], they again asked me to wait. I begged for it, as I had to feed my daughter,” she added.
Is it not my right?
After repeated requests, the authorities appointed her for cleaning the guest houses meant for tourists. Tara said, “Now they pay me Rs 8,000 per month for the work. They are extremely apathetic towards me. Am I asking for something that’s not my right?” On coming to know about Tara’s situation, a workers’ union of the park — Dhadak Kamgar Union — decided to take up the issue with the authorities.
Speaking to mid-day, Jhony Waike, a union leader, said, “A permanent job and compensation are her rights. She must get them. In fact, the authorities had given it in writing to her...” When contacted, Ahmed Anwar, chief conservator and director of SGNP, said, “I was not aware of the case. Now, as I know about it, I will get information about it from the officials concerned and meet the woman, if required. If she is eligible for a job and compensation, she’ll definitely get them.”
Attack during safari
On April 20, 2010, a lioness attacked and killed Harichand, who worked as a security guard for the lion safari at the park, while he was trying to close one of the enclosure gates. The park officials had to tranquilise the lioness to recover his body.
Rs 1.5 lakh
Amount of compensation Tara Gimbhal has received
Rs 8k
Amount Tara earns every month working as a housekeeper at the park
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