Persons who were displaced due to Sharavati, Hirebhaskara and Madenuru hydro electric projects have formed ‘Sagara-Hosanagara Santrasthara Horata Vedike,’ forum of displaced.

Addressing press meet in the City, leader of the vedike Shanmukhappa said that  since just compensation has remained elusive for the displaced, they can vent their grievances through the forum and struggle against administration’s apathy towards their plight.

He also alleged that Government has neglected over 15,000 families which became displaced in 1960s due to construction of reservoirs in the region. In the absence of suitable compensation and rehabilitation measures, displaced persons are virtually on pavements, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, another leader of vedike, Chitrashettyhalli Rajappa said that implementation of ‘development’ projects in Malnad region without offering proper relief and rehabilitation has resulted in socio-economic problems. He also attributed the raise in Naxal activities in the region for administration’s apathy towards poor.

People displaced from Sharavati reservoir were accorded sub-human treatment.

The place in which they are rehabilitated lack basic amenities, he pointed out.  Alleging of irregularities in distributing compensation and rehabilitating the displaced, he informed that politicians and Government employees have grabbed the sites which were reserved for displaced in Varada Colony in Avinahalli hobli limits.
Chitrashettyhalli Rajappa also demanded for probe into the irregularities. Office bearers of the Santrasthara Horata Vedike were present.