Madhu Bangarappa warns forest officials against forceful eviction of farmers citing court orders
Shivamogga: School Education and District In-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa has instructed forest department officials not to forcibly evict farmers cultivating forest lands on the pretext of court orders. He warned that any harassment or assault on farmers during eviction drives would invite strict government action against the officials involved.
The minister was chairing a progress review meeting of the Forest, Public Works, KRIDL, and Irrigation departments at the District Administrative Office on Saturday.
Bangarappa said that many farmers have been cultivating forest land for generations, and their cases must be dealt with as per Supreme Court guidelines. “Do not issue unnecessary notices or use the court order as an excuse to trouble or evict them,” he told forest officials.
He further directed that new encroachments must not be allowed, but the government should take steps to regularise encroachments made before April 27, 1978. He asked officials to submit a report on the measures taken to exclude legally granted agricultural and residential lands from the proposed forest inclusion list.
“No arbitrary action against farmers will be tolerated,” the minister said, reiterating that the forest department should act within the framework of justice and compassion.
MLA Ayanur Manjunath demanded that officers provide written, document-based explanations regarding their actions. MLA Gopalakrishna Belur pointed out that notices are being served to farmers in parts of Malnad and urged the government to stop such harassment.
Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Hanumanthappa clarified that cases classified under PF and MF fall under minor forest categories and can be settled locally. He said 375 notifications have already been issued in this regard.
Speaking on irrigation works, Bangarappa instructed officials to begin construction of bridge-cum-barrages across the Gudavi, Yadagoppa, Dandavati, and Varada rivers in Sorab taluk at a cost of Rs 160 crore. He also urged them to take up culvert and minor bridge projects without delay. “Better coordination between departments will help speed up the work,” he added.
The minister reviewed the progress of regularising houses in declared slum areas across the district. He instructed officials to issue property rights for houses in rural slums and provide Form 94C and 94CC certificates for homes located in urban slums.
Municipal Commissioner Mayannagowda informed the meeting that 9,000 applications had been sent for regularising houses of poor families who have been living for over 40 years on municipal land within Shivamogga city limits.
District officials, including Deputy Commissioner Gurudatta Hegde, Zilla Panchayat CEO Hemant Kumar N, CCF Hanumanthappa, and DCF Prasanna Kumar Patagar, attended the meeting.
It was also revealed that Shivamogga ranks sixth in the state in the ongoing social, educational, and economic survey, with 96% of the work completed. Around 8,000 urban households and 15,000 rural households are yet to be surveyed. After completion, grievances related to Sharavathi rehabilitation will be addressed, followed by a review of reserved forest areas in December.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Man stabbed by cousin brother over property dispute in Kalaburagi
Kalaburagi: A dispute over property turned deadly after a man killed his cousin brother using a knife in Kalaburagi’s Sedam taluk late on Friday night.
The deceased has been identified as Basavaraja Talawara (35), a resident of Hanganahalli village.
Basavaraja was involved in a dispute with his cousin, Ghulesh, over the division of family property for some time.
On Friday night, a clash broke out between the duo during which Ghulesh allegedly stabbed Basavaraja with a knife.Basavaraja died on the spot due to severe bleeding, while the accused Ghulesh is absconding, police said.
District Superintendent of Police Addur Srinivasalu, DySP Sangamanath Hiremath and CPI Mahadeva Diddimani visited the crime scene and conducted an investigation.
A complaint has been filed at the Malkheda police station in this regard.
