The High Court on Monday stayed further proceedings pursuant to the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) notifications acquiring about 40 acres of land in Santhoor village, Udupi district for the purpose of proposed Nagarjuna Thermal Power Project.

A writ petition by Chennai-based Church of South India, and Janet Shakuntala and some other senior citizens, challenged acquisition of their land in Santhoor village, as per KIADB’s preliminary notification dated May 21, 1998 and final notification dated October 9, 2006.

The petitioners contended that KIADB had acquired the land for the purpose of constructing ash pond for the proposed Nagarjuna Power Plant without conducting a due study of its ecological and environmental impact. The region is ecologically sensitive with several streams, ponds and forests, which would be affected by construction of the ash pond, apart from causing health hazards to villagers, they apprehended. They stated that KIADB had proceeded with the acquisitions without hearing their objections in this regard.

Justice N Kumar admitted the petition for hearing, while ordering notices to Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, state Revenue Department, KIADB, Nagarjuna Power Corporation Ltd and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. The judge granted an interim order of stay against any further proceedings pursuant to the acquisition notifications.

NBW against BEO
The Karnataka High Court on Monday issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against the Block Education Officer of Hagaribommanahalli, Bellary district, following the officer’s failure in providing the records sought by the Court. In the course of hearing two connected petitions regarding the term of School Development Management Committee (SDMC) of Government Higher Primary School, Obalapur village in Hagaribommanahalli block limits, a dispute arose as to the date of the SDMC’s constitution.

Seeking a clarification in this regard, the Court had, on August 1, directed the Hagaribommanahalli BEO to produce the records concerned before it. But, at the hearing on Monday, Government advocate submitted that the BEO had failed to provide the records, till date.

Taking a serious note of this, Justice Ajit J Gunjal, dealing with the matter, issued a NBW to secure the BEO’s presence at the next hearing on Aug 24, 2007.