Karnataka Guv returns bill reducing lake buffer zones, seeks clarification
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has returned to the government the Bill that reduces the size of buffer zones around lakes or tanks in the state, seeking clarification.
The Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, passed in both houses of the state legislature recently, proposes to reduce the buffer zones of lakes, based on the area of the water bodies.
Citing objections received by his office in connection with the Bill, the Governor has said it is necessary to get clarifications from the state government on the issues raised, and also to know whether this amendment really has an adverse effect or not.
“Hence, return the file to the state government to re-submit the file along with proper clarifications in this regard,” the Governor has said in a communication from his office to the government.
The bill proposes to introduce area-wise buffer zones for water bodies and permit construction of certain public utility activities such as roads, bridges, electrical line, water supply line, Under Ground Drainage (UGD) line, Jack well or pump house or Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), Intermediate Sewage Pumping Station (ISPS), Wetwell, Aquaduct and allied works with prior approval of the Authority.
According to the bill, lakes up to 0.5 gunta will not have a buffer zone. For lakes measuring up to one acre, the buffer zone will be 3 metres. It will be 6 metres for lakes sized 1-10 acres, 12 metres for lakes sized 10-25 acres, 24 metres for lakes sized 25-100 acres, and 30 metres for lakes above 100 acres.
At present, lakes have a standard 30-metre buffer zone, where no construction activities are permitted.
The Governor, in his communication to the government, noted that his office has received objection from the Bengaluru Town Hall Association with a request not to give assent to the Bill, citing concerns that as per the expert's opinion, the present lake buffer zone of 30 Meter itself is insufficient, and the real requirement is nearly 300 m to achieve ecosystem balance, and if anything, to do, the buffer zone should be increased not decreased.
It also said that the state government has neither consulted the expert committee nor the public about the implications of this amendment.
“It is in violation of the Constitution and settled Law, and is harmful to every citizen, affects the citizens' right to water security and a healthy environment,” according to the association, as mentioned in the communication.
The Governor further said the association has also given a detailed memorandum about the constitutional violations, central laws and guidelines, and adverse impact on water security issues.
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Dy CM Shivakumar confident of Congress win in Karnataka bypolls
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday expressed confidence that the ruling Congress will secure a decisive victory in the Assembly bypolls scheduled for April 9 in the Bagalkote and Davanagere South constituencies, citing a favourable ground response to the party’s guarantee schemes.
These are ‘Shakti’, ‘Gruha Lakshmi’, ‘Gruha Jyoti’, ‘Yuva Nidhi’ and ‘Anna Bhagya’.
The bypolls were necessitated by the demise of sitting Congress MLAs Shamanur Shivashankarappa and H Y Meti, who represented Davanagere South and Bagalkote constituencies, respectively.
The Congress has fielded Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Shamanur, in Davanagere South and Umesh Meti in Bagalkote. They are locked in direct contests with BJP candidates T Dasakariyappa and Veerabhadrayya Charantimath.
“Both Bagalkote and Davanagere are very positive. Congress workers are doing an excellent job, going door to door and convincing people about the guarantee schemes,” Shivakumar told reporters here.
He said even voters who had earlier supported the BJP were now inclined towards the Congress.
“Even those who voted for the BJP earlier are saying they will vote for Congress. People want the guarantees to continue and are expressing difficulties due to rising prices,” he said.
Expressing confidence of an improved electoral performance, he added, “There is a strong sense that we will win with a bigger margin than before.”
Shivakumar also said he would travel to Kerala for two days and resume campaigning thereafter. “I am going to Kerala for two days. After returning, we will continue the campaign from Davanagere,” he said.
Referring to the shortage of LPG, including auto LPG, in the state, Shivakumar blamed the BJP-led government and called for immediate intervention by the Centre.
“The LPG shortage is due to the BJP. Auto drivers and those in the transport sector are facing difficulties,” he claimed.
“This is something the central government has to address. It must formulate proper policies and take precautionary measures,” he said, adding that the BJP should apologise to the public.
“They should come forward and apologise to the people for the inconvenience caused and resolve the issues they have created,” he said.
