Karnataka: Ministry seeks report after NGO flags violations in NH 169 widening
Bengaluru: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has directed the Karnataka state government to investigate allegations of legal violations in the widening of National Highway 169 (NH 169), which passes through the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary.
The complaint, filed by Shivamogga-based NGO Green Lives, claims that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) misled the forest department by asserting that no wildlife sanctuary or ESZ falls within the highway’s widening alignment. However, according to the ESZ notification for Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, approximately a 4-kilometer stretch of the highway lies within the ESZ, as reported by Deccan Herald on Monday.
In February, the Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) in Shivamogga inspected the site and reported that the road widening between chainage 15.98 km and 26.69 km involves the use of both forest and non-forest areas. The stretch from 26.7 km to 30.75 km inside the ESZ involves only resurfacing of the road.
The NGO alleges that NHAI started work without applying for permission from ESZ monitoring committee. They said while the DCF report said the NHAI was “resurfacing” the road, the before and after photos show soil excavation of “thousands of loads” for road strengthening, the report added.
“The user agency has expressly admitted that work was undertaken within the ESZ. Despite this clear admission, the committee proceeded to accept the road widening proposal and granted permission with certain conditions - conditions that have already been violated,” it said.
Responding to these concerns, Kudremukh Wildlife Division DCF Sivaram Babu said the decisions were taken as per the rule. “Decisions in this matter were taken by the monitoring committee headed by the regional commissioner,” DH quoted Babu as saying.
Meanwhile, the NGO has urged the Union ministry to reject the NHAI’s road widening proposal.
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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
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