Karnataka CM vows to resolve farmers’ land grant issues, lead all-party delegation to Delhi
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Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, along with elected representatives from Hassan, taking part in a public meeting on the Kasturirangan Report issue in Sakaleshpur on Sunday. | Photo Credit: PRAKASH HASSAN
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has assured farmers that his government will make efforts to resolve all issues related to the grant of land and bring in amendments to laws, if necessary, in their interest. He also assured them that he would lead an all-party delegation to the Centre on the issue of the K. Kasturirangan report.
Addressing a public meeting on the recommendations of the Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats at Sakleshpur on Sunday, Mr. Shivakumar said his government was committed to resolving the problems of the farming community.
“I will ensure that the applications filed under Akrama-Sakrama, those filed by bagair hukum cultivators for grant of land, and those filed for grant of land under the Forest Rights Act are disposed of soon and that people get relief. We will bring in amendments to laws wherever necessary to benefit the farmers of the region,” he said.
Responding to allegations of harassment by forest officials, he said those working in the Forest Department were not outsiders but “members of our family”. They had a duty to protect forests and should perform it as per law, he said. At the same time, people should be free of fear. Officers were not meant to harass people and were only following orders from above, he said.
Asking people not to treat officers as enemies and to remain within the rules, he said: “I have told the officers not to harass the public. However, they will do their duties as per the law. And the public should not encroach on forest land.”
On the Kasturirangan report, the Chief Minister said he had received several suggestions during his interactions with the public. Many had suggested outright rejection of the draft notification proposing to declare areas across the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas. A few had stressed the need for a physical survey, while others had sought amendments to laws to help farmers affected by the existing restrictions. The government would take its stand after the special session of the legislature, he said.
He also said he would lead an all-party delegation comprising MPs, MLAs and Opposition leaders to Delhi to meet the Prime Minister and Union Ministers.
Referring to officers in the Hassan district administration, Mr. Shivakumar said there were many good officers. “I know they are facing harassment. You people know who are harassing them. However, I have told the officers not to worry and to continue working for the poor,” he said, without naming anyone. Former Minister H.D. Revanna of the JD(S) had recently made strong remarks against Hassan Deputy Commissioner K.S. Lathakumari.
Excise Minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda, Hassan MP Shreyas Patel, Sakleshpur MLA “Cement” Manju and others were present.
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